This I Believe II--More Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women

Starred review from July 28, 2008
Allison and Gediman's newest omnibus highlights 75 more essays from the archives of the successful NPR program, a contemporary version of Edward Murrow's classic radio show. Culled from writers both legendary and previously unfamiliar, each essayist presents what he or she believes in 500 words. From Robin Baudier's tract on “Strange Blessings,” detailing her experience living in her parents' FEMA trailer after the devastation of Katrina, to Michelle Gardner-Quinn's credo for “upholding reverence for all life” (Quinn was tragically murdered after completing this essay) to Kim Phuc's essay on “Forgiveness,” borne of her experience as that “girl in the picture” running naked, napalm-burnt on a road near Saigon, each micro-essay stuns with its singular beauty, lucidity and humility. Icons like Helen Prejean, Studs Terkel and Elie Wiesel find estimable company in heretofore unknown writers who distill their individual truths with affecting sincerity and admirable aptitude.

November 15, 2008
This title follows last year's Audie® Award-winning, "New York Times" best-selling collection of the same name. Both derive from the National Public Radio® (NPR) show, which in turn derives from a 1950s Edward R. Murrow-hosted radio broadcast. Here, we again hear from a range of essayists (everyone from a diner waitress to former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright) about their personal credos. Five-time Peabody® Award-winning broadcast journalist Jay Allison, host of the NPR show, introduces the readings, each of which, though unique in substance and delivery, manages to meld into a harmonious wholeno small feat in sound engineering. Enthusiastically recommended for libraries where the first title did well.Raya Kuzyk, "Library Journal"

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

In this follow-up to last year's release of an audiobook compilation of essays written for and read on NPR (THIS I BELIEVE), editors Allison and Gediman have put together another set of readings of alternately touching, emotional, and even quirky personal statements of belief from a wide cross section of people, featuring everyday folks as well as the rich and famous. Limited to no more than 500 words, each essay is read aloud by the person who wrote it, providing listeners with a more personal and genuine experience of what each writer holds to be true. Jay Allison provides a brief introduction to each essay, but the narrators--from a waitress in a Texas diner to cellist Yo-Yo Ma--speak for themselves in defining the principles that guide their lives. Powerful and heartfelt. S.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine