Birthday Book of the Day: Before reality TV, the thing to have was a radio program

Doob, Leonard W., ed., “Ezra Pound Speaking”: Radio Speeches of World War II (Greenwood Press, Contributions in American Studies, #37, 1st ed., 1st printing, 1978). ISBN 0-313-20057-2. The foreword says, “The best reason for publishing Ezra Pound’s Italian broadcasts may be the simplest. Thousands of people have heard about them, scores have been affected by them, yet but a handful has ever heard or read them. Here they are.”

Since his death in 1972, Ezra Pound- born on this day in 1885- has slipped into history’s embrace and many people do not much know, or appreciate, the influence he possessed before World War II or the controversy he caused after it. Far from the sunny, affably clueless radio postcards of P.G. Wodehouse, Pound had an agenda and he was determined to push it. Fascist radio was all too happy to help. This book is a singular contribution to the history of the war era and understanding the life of Ezra Pound in all its complexities and contradictions. Hardcover, no dustjacket as issued, Green boards, fine condition. Octavo, 465 pp. HBB price: $50 obo.

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