Fred Rogers (1928-2003) was an enormously influential figure in the history of television and in the lives of tens of millions of children. As the creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, he was a champion of compassion, equality, and kindness. Rogers was fiercely devoted to children and to taking their fears, concerns, and questions about the world seriously. The Good Neighbor, the … Good Neighbor, the first full-length biography of Fred Rogers, tells the story of this utterly unique and enduring American icon. Drawing on original interviews, oral histories, and archival documents, Maxwell King traces Rogers’s personal, professional, and artistic life through decades of work, including a surprising decision to walk away from the show to make television for adults, only to return to the neighborhood with increasingly sophisticated episodes, written in collaboration with experts on childhood development. An engaging story, rich in detail, The Good Neighbor is the definitive portrait of a beloved figure, cherished by multiple generations.
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As the extreme importance of our most gifted teachers, and the credit they are due, become ever more evident, Maxwell King has provided a superb, thoughtful biography of the brilliant Fred Rogers, who with his long-running television show, reached more children than any teacher ever. The enormous amount of thought, creative talent, and hard work that Rogers put into every aspect of the show becomes abundantly clear in this book, as do the lessons in empathy and kindness that he took so to heart. Much there is for all of us to learn in Maxwell King’s The Good Neighbor.
Fred launched the ship that carried us all.
Mere pages into this beautiful account, tears began to roll down my cheeks as my heart remembered the kind and gentle manner of Mr. Rogers. Deeply researched, Maxwell King’s biography brings Rogers to life in small moments recalled by those who knew him best. Through a meticulous unspooling of his childhood, we learn why Fred Rogers—a child born into extreme wealth who could have done anything or nothing with his life—wound up of all things a child whisperer, a seer of the human heart, a builder of bridges constructed of unconditional love and acceptance. Reading King’s narrative, one cannot help but long for a time when children spent their afternoons watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood; one cannot help but sense that what we all need right now is an infusion of Fred Rogers’ enduring teachings back onto our airwaves and into our America.
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news,” Rogers had told his young viewers, “my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”
Yes, there are. Fred Rogers was proof of that. A man born with privileged demographics along with considerable family wealth, Rogers was free to explore any calling that spoke to him. What a gift to the world that he chose to use this incredible opportunity to teach, help and empower. Let Mister Rogers be an example to us all.
In The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, author Maxwell King did an enormous amount of research to provide a well-rounded biography. It not only showcases Rogers’s beautiful human qualities, but also his family history, his educational pursuits and what inspired them, the business end of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and other televised programs, examples of how his sensitivity was both a blessing and curse, and even a section where rumors are debunked about Rogers, such as tattoo sleeves, military service, etc.
Admittedly, when I saw the audiobook was over 14 hours long, I almost skipped over this title, but later that day I had an encounter with a person in which the above quote was referenced and I took it as a sign. His words and example still make an impact, and learning about this man left me feeling nostalgic and humbled.
“What a difference one person can make in the life of another.”
Its been many, many years since I have seen an episode of “Mr Roger’s Neighborhood,” and I was never a regular watcher (we didn’t consistently have access to TV when I was growing up), but I always loved it. As an adult, reading quotes attributed to Fred Rogers and remembering him from his show, I always wondered (as many have), “is he actually like this in real life, or is what we’ve seen of him an act?” This book was a detailed, refreshing look at Fred’s entire life: his lonely childhood; his struggles to understand and express emotions; his puppets; his college experiences; his music—composing, playing, learning, expressing; marrying JoAnn and having his two boys; becoming a Presbyterian minister; doing things differently than the way his father envisioned; and especially everything about “Mr Rogers Neighborhood,” the backstory, how it was run and became the show many of my generation (and the one before) remember and love. Just about every detail you can think of is included in this book. The answer to the ultimate question, how real was what we saw, seems to be 100%. Fred Rogers was selfless and loving, friendly and thoughtful, driven and focused. Perhaps his family’s fortune and connections made it possible for him to start down the path he wanted to take, but he kept walking that path purely because of his own genius and desire to do right by children. I admire that. I admire that he didn’t let wealth or privilege or fame get to his head, and that he stayed humble and lived simply right up to the very end. And now I desperately want to watch “Mr Roger’s Neighborhood.”
AUDIO REVIEW: When a reader for an audio book is an actor, you can expect some pretty good inflection and voices. This is a nonfiction book so there is maybe less of that than one would get from another book, but it was still read very well. Although I just kept hearing “Reading Rainbow” and my husband “Rescue Bots.” Ha! Reader: LeVar Burton
This book had a lot of potential, but it needed serious editing. Facts were often repeated. Full names were used over and over. At about 3/4 of the way through the book, I was ready for it to be done. As much as I wanted to like it, due to the subject it was just hard to care about it any more by the time I reached the end…
Wonderful book to learn more about a icon who help children learn about themselves.
The book was a little long and went into very great detail about some of Mr Rogers friends/acquaintances, but over all was very interesting. The man was very complex and yet very simple. He knew what he wanted and why. He knew where his passion was and had so much meaning behind him. Even his weight had a hidden meaning, 143.
I would recommend this read and it was very fun to do as a book club. I will say that Amazon has a documentary on him that was very similar to the story.
I found this book to be inspirational. I learned so many things about Fred Rogers that I never knew. I walk away from this book with a need to go back and watch some of the series…it wasn’t something I was introduced to as a kid. I would read again!
Fred Roger’s life story is truly inspirational.
This book shows you the depth of character, faith and kindness in Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood).