Donahue
MY OWN STORY Hardback book with Dust Jacket by Phil Donahue & Co. Over 245 pages with many photos Copyright © 1979 by Phil Donahue " PHIL DONAHUE, the number one syndicated television talk-show host in America, tells his own remarkable life story in this candid, entertaining, fast-paced autobiography, from his childhood in Cleveland during the 1940s to his present success {at time of publication} with Donahue, the show watched daily by millions of loyal viewers in over 200 cities nationwide. " " Donahue begins by describing his mixed feelings about being a celebrity, examining "the special neuroses of famous people."
He recalls what it was like to grow up as an Irish Catholic in the atmosphere of pride and prejudice following World War II, writing humorously about his first fistfight, his first kiss ("the briefest and driest moment in all erotica") and his years at Notre Dame ("Living all week with George O'Donnell and being constantly surrounded by guys, at the 'caf', in Cost Accounting class ... everywhere ... did more for weekend lust than a low-budget porno film"). " " He recalls how for months after graduating from college he couldn't get a job in his field at all, and describes his early years as an announcer and radio and TV journalist in Adrian, Michigan, and Dayton, Ohio ("'... Mrs. Nixon, you've had a number of proud moments in your life ...' and when I said 'proud' I spat right in her eye"). " " Taking the reader onto the set of Donahue, he explains why audience participation is the most important part of his show, and talks about the moral contradictions of journalism and the realities of competition and success in the media ("In order to achieve in the marketplace you have to have a sizeable ego - I don't care if you are working for ITT, IBM or GE. But it's especially true at that bunch of letters, CBS, NBC and ABC").
He points out that the hardest lesson he had to learn in journalism was "the meaning of power on the job," and is outspoken about the "TV Gatekeepers," the men who run the over 700 stations in the United States and control what viewers see. " " Donahue is as candid about his personal life as he is about his career.
He shares the pain of separation and divorce, and his experiences as a single parent of four sons.
He writes, too, about his disillusionments during the 1960s with the Catholic Church, and his discovery of his own inner faith and beliefs. " " Filled with colorful anecdotes about his show, Donahue is an intimate, moving and thought-provoking insight into the heart and soul of an immensely popular television personality who has a deep sense of compassion;
a rare ability to grow, change, learn and admit to his own mistakes;
great curiosity about people and ideas;
and a burning passion for truth, human values and life.
Illustrated. " Contents includes: " 1 Celebrity 2 Beginnings 3 Notre Dame 4 Early Dayton 5 Suburbia 6 "I Quit." 7 Phases 8 The Phil Donahue Show 9 Dayton to Chicago 10 Single 11 Journalism 12 Changes 13 The Staff 14 TV Bosses 15 Censorship 16 New York 17 Hype 18 The Faint-hearted Feminist 19 The Gatekeepers 20 The Grotto Acknowledgments Photography Credits " The book is in good condition with minor wear to the cover.
The dust jacket has some wear and tear and is yellowed around the edges, mostly on the inside.
No torn or ripped pages.
The previous owner's name is written on two blank pages and there was a sticker on the first blank page that was removed and left a small mark. | 
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