Experience the Civil War
on Old Time Radio!

Twenty years ago, my favorite History Prof drummed a statement into our American History 101 class repeatedly, and I never forgot it:

"You better tell a darn good story, if you want to bring the past back to life."

Truer words were never spoken. I learned long ago that you don't learn much history by studying dates, places and events. You have to feel what life was like at that time... the emotions and passions that motivated people to act as they did... the sights, sounds and smells that surrounded them... but above all, you have to tell stories...

...and these are GREAT stories!

These classic programs from the golden age of radio (1940s - 1950s) brought the Civil War to life in Grandpa's day, and they still pack a whallop today. That's because they perform their magic on the greatest stage of all -- the "theater of the mind", where your own imagination fills the stage with detail and texture. Your kids will learn more about the Civil War from these wonderfully evocative, vintage programs than any textbook you can find, guaranteed. They reach out, grab you, and draw you in, in a way no video can. That's the power of great radio.

I remember the answer one 1950s era boy gave to a survey question, "Which do you prefer: Television or Radio?" The young man's reply: "I like radio, because the pictures are better." We agree!

Climb on board the time machine...
Close your eyes, and in an instant,
YOU ARE THERE!
At Fort Sumter... Gettysburg...
Appomattox... Ford's Theater...
in the camps and on the battlefield!

Our family is addicted to "old time radio". Fascinated with the War Between the States. And over the past two years, we've combined both passions -- combing through thousands of old programs to bring together this meaty collection of truly RARE Civil War oriented shows. (And let me assure you, there just aren't many of these to be found.) Some are mesmerizing, dead-on accurate re-enactments of actual events, some are romanticized heroic biographies, others great adaptations of classic Civil War stories. All are excellent, exciting, highly entertaining listening for any student of American History - young or old.

This computer CD collection (programs are playable on any computer or MP3 compatible CD player) contains 18 full-length radio programs, just as they were originally broadcast over the airwaves when radio was king. That's approximately 10 hours of great, high quality  listening. Also included: An illustrated collector's booklet, giving additional info and insight about these rare shows.

YOU ARE THERE
(originally called "CBS is There")
was a wonderfully evocative "documentary" radio show on the CBS network
that took historic events and dramatized them with "live radio" coverage.
Many of the announcers on "You Are There" were wartime
correspondents for CBS during World War II. The show was created by Goodman Ace
and hosted by Richard C. Hottelet, John Daly, and Don Hollenbeck,
and directed by Robert Lewis Shayon. Each show began
with "live" background coverage of events unfolding.
Then the sounds and characters involved take over. Though condensed to a
fast moving 30 minutes, the programs remained historically accurate,
believable and thought-provoking. They are "living history" at its finest,
and make it easy for the listener to imaginatively participate
in the world's major historical events.

"The Bombardment of Fort Sumter"
chronicling the events of April 12, 1861,
originally broadcast on May 22, 1949

"The Battle of Gettysburg"
chronicling the events of July 21, 1861,
originally broadcast on February 22, 1948

"The Monitor and the Merrimac"
chronicling the events of March 9, 1862,
originally broadcast on December 26, 1948

"Lee and Grant at Appomattox"
chronicling the events of April 9, 1865,
originally broadcast on November 7, 1948

"The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln"
chronicling the events of April 14, 1865,
originally broadcast on July 7, 1947

"The Capture of John Wilkes Booth"
chronicling the events of April 26, 1865,
originally broadcast on June 5, 1949

THE CAVALCADE OF AMERICA
was "prestige radio" in every way, unsurpassed by any other program
in depicting the history and character of our country.
"Cavalcade" presented authentic drama and music
that focused on the people, culture and events that made America
what it is: Stories of heroes -- both famous and unknown;
great events that shaped our history; the music that inspired our nation;
and the character traits that made our country truly great.
I have collected old time radio shows for years,
and I can honestly say to you, these shows are some of the
very "best of the best"."Cavalcade" was renowned for being historically accurate
as well as highly entertaining. Every effort was made to make sure that
programs were historically accurate. This long running and well remembered series
ran from 1935 to 1953, and was sponsored throughout its run by DuPont.

"Abraham Lincoln: The War Years"
A dramatization of Carl Sandburg's classic book,
originally broadcast on February 2, 1941

"Venture in a Silk Hat"
The story of the Andrews Raid,
originally broadcast on January 14, 1946

"Honor Bound"
The story of Confederate hero Sam Davis.
This broadcast was performed live at the
Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN
originally broadcast on January 10, 1950

"Emma"
The story of Civil War nurse/spy Emma Edmonds
originally broadcast on October 10, 1950

"A Mockingbird Sang in Chickamauga"
A great Civil War spy story, based on
the book of the same name,
originally broadcast on December 26, 1950

"Loyal Lady"
The story of Rebecca Wright, a Union
sympathizer who lived in Virginia
originally broadcast on October 23, 1951

"Adventure on the Kentucky"
The story of ferry captain Cincinnatus Shryock,
starring Richard Widmark.
originally broadcast on March 11, 1952

AMERICAN PORTRAITS
was a summer replacement for Cavalcade of America, which
ran on the NBC network in 1951. Directed by Dee Engelbach,
written by George H. Falkner, with music by Milton Keagan, the series
was quite similar to "Cavalcade", focusing on biographical sketches (or
"portraits") of  great Americans.

"There Stands Jackson"
a portrait of General Stonewall Jackson,
originally broadcast on July 31st, 1951

"Keepsake"
a portrait of Abraham Lincoln,
originally broadcast on August 28, 1951

DESTINATION FREEDOM
came to the NBC network in June of 1948, originating
at WMAQ in Chicago. The series dramatized the plights and accomplishments
of black Americans, with a strong Civil Rights stand. With a predominantly
negro cast, the series was the first and only radio drama series featuring
stories about African Americans heard nationwide. The series was written by
Richard Durham and produced by Homer Hect. In October of 1950,
the series changed directions completely, and thereafter focused on Cold War
threats and ideas.

"The Making of a Man"
the story of Frederick Douglass, part I,
originally broadcast July 25, 1948

"The Key to Freedom"
the story of Frederick Douglass part II,
originally broadcast on August 1, 1948

NBC UNIVERSITY THEATER
was a grand experiment combining great literature, education,
and all the magic of old time radio. Beginning in July of 1948,
this hour long show adapted classics of great American literature
(inserting insightful comments about the author of the work during the intermission),
allowing listeners to receive college credit for listening to the series,
via several affiliated colleges and universities. The series later was renamed
"NBC Theater of the Air", because the network thought the "university"
monicker was scaring some listeners off. Regardless, you'd be hard pressed to find
a finer show, with its intelligent adaptations and production second to none.

"The Red Badge of Courage"
a great hour long adaptation of Stephen Crane's novel,
originally broadcast on May 8, 1949

"I'm a genuine "Civil War Nut" and I really enjoyed the CD....
  Congratulations on a wonderful product!" -- John P. DInnocenzi
Civil War Camp Chest/"Tree Huggin" John's Civil War Ezine
www.civilwarcampchest.com

The Civil War on Old Time Radio Collection
is available for a limited time for just $15, postage paid.

By Mail:
Send $15 check or money order to:
The Erskines
PO Box 187
Canmer, KY 42722

(Specify that you are ordering the "Civil War Collection")

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We mail your package to you within 24 hours of receiving your order, via fast first class mail.
Order a copy of this collection for your favorite homeschool student, Civil War enthusiast (or for yourself!) --
then get ready to experience the Civil War in a way you've never heard it before -- on classic old time radio!

-- Jim Erskine, Homeway Press