The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers

Written by Maxwell King

Narrated by LeVar Burton

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 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oasis Audio
• Release date: Sep 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9781621888437

Reviews for The Good Neighbor

[Pam N · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Confession: I couldn't stand Mr. Rogers as a kid. As a grown-up who has learned that love, nurturing and neighborliness need to be cultivated, cannot be taken for granted, Fred Rogers suddenly makes a whole lot more sense. This biography gives a good perspective on where he came from, what and who helped form him, and what his legacy is. It's unrelentingly laudatory, and I prefer biographies that take a step back and look at the flaws as well as accomplishments, view the person as a whole, not as a hero. As heroes go, however, Mr. Fred Rogers is right up there with the best. Three-and-a-half stars.

[Rebecca Lentz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful, informative tribute to this great man, Mr. Rogers.

[anja_martinez-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Good Neighbor- what a great title! I listened to the audiobook, beautifully narrated by LeVar Burton. Learning about Fred Rogers, the person, and his work, which was really his calling, was a great experience. I learned that who he was on television was who he really was in real life, which was a revelation for me and took some time for me to trust. I learned that he was a trained and dedicated musician and composer and that the music of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood was mostly written by himself. It's a gift to the children watching the show. When Mr Rogers dies at the end of the book, I cried. Throughout the book, the author tells us that Mr. Rogers met someone and then they had a lifelong friendship. I thought to myself, "He was really good at making lifelong friends!" Then I watched his goodbye to his viewers, available on Youtube, and he called his adult viewers his lifelong friends. It was then I realized I was one of the lifelong friends he had made. It's a good feeling to appreciate Mr Rogers as an adult!

[Garrett Hall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredible person to learn about! Highly inspiring. Definitely take the time to read or listen. Also, narrated by Lavar Burton which makes it even better!

[jade · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Giving 3 stars because it took me until over halfway through to really get into this book. The ending *chef kiss*. A really well written book that show cased how special Mr. Rodgers really was to the world of children television. I enjoyed learning about his techniques and how he expected absolute excellence. He was humble, kind, caring & had small children at the forefront of all he did and didn't do. Truly an amazing human!

[Fran Ditri · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So much I did not know about Mr Rogers love.

[Melonie Hewitt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Nostalgic read!!!

I decided to dive back into time to my childhood and listen to thr the life of Fred.Rogers.

This book was so positive, insughtful, and a wonderful glimpse into his life, career, and wonderful personality.

The narration added such a wonderful element to the story and experience that is Mr. Roger's Neighboorhood

My rating:
5 out of 5 trolleys ?
?????

[Karmel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First of all, the narrator of this book is excellent! This book goes in depth into the life of Fred Rogers, from childhood to death as well as his impacts after his death. Very detailed, giving a clear picture of who the real Fred Rogers is. Very inspiring life!

[Jeff Wraley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great insights into a great man, who some misunderstood, yet so many dearly loved. I came away with a much better understanding of who he was, what he believed and how committed he was to living the best life he possibly could. Thorough account of his life story, with many interesting facts and anecdotes. Really enjoyed Levar Burton’s narration. Simply an enjoyable experience!

[Meg Rice · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My children and I adored watching Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood together as they were growing up. Our daughter was convinced he was her uncle. This wonderful book taught me about his early life, the influences that grew him into the remarkable, good man he was.

[Zachary Herbst · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I grew up watching Mr. Rodgers and it makes me feel like it was a great decision. He is exactly the man you thought he was and it is an interesting life that he lived to make Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood.

[Kyle Licht · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an excellent book that truly inspired me. Fred Rogers is an incredible person and his goodness is often overlooked or masked by rumors. He was revolutionary, progressive, and way ahead of his time. Some people may see him as a white Christian man and assume he’s stuck in all the ways or even a bit creepy. However, he did many great things in his life and made it a point to give everyone the attention and spread love. He also diversified his content and beliefs tremendously. He frequently studied other religions and cultures and made it a point to show children that they are special.

He would frequently bring underrepresented people and empower minorities in such a inclusive and normalized way, that it doesn’t come off as political, but rather a utopia that exists in the future, free from bias and open for everyone. he’s far ahead of us, creating and fostering a world or neighborhood where diversity is a standard and love, positivity, and attentive care is prioritized over previous methods of discipline or coldness.

what I love most about Fred Rogers is that despite being a television host for children, he can be beneficial to watch for adults to in his messages speak loudly towards any problems adulterer still having today. He encourages uncomfortable conversations and honesty and being open to being uncomfortable, in order to learn and grow.

I was highly inspired to read this book, based on watching A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and in a way, to try and reinforce the idea that someone so good can exist. The book acknowledges this but I am almost trying to find a reason to disbelieve this “too good to be true” human being and find dirt on him. But, that tough to do and it’s such a defensive and unnecessary way of thinking. I just have to accept that he’s a great person, because he is.

So, I was torn in deciding to read this book. I want to focus my reading more, being a filmmaker, writer, and musician. Mr. Rogers is a icon for kids. That’s not what I want to do. But, to my surprise, I realized Fred Rogers is more relevant than I thought. First, he is a vegetarian and I am a vegan and he abstains from drugs and smoking as I do. Also, he focuses prominently in honesty and positivity, which are my two 2020 goals. He loves to help people and inspire others, especially in being controversial and inspiring others to be empathetic and uncomfortable. So, his belief and lifestyle is very similar to mine.

Lastly and importantly, Fred Rogers holds many roles in his field as a director, writer, producer, musician, host, puppeteer, etc. I want to do the same kind of thing, holding many roles and maxing out his creative involvement. In fact, I would call him an auteur, based on his technical mastery and distinct style. Also, how much more relevant can he get without being a feature filmmaker? He’s a director, writer, and musician as am I.

[Jeri sutton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful biography of Mr. Rogers amazing life and work.

[Emily Hawley · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars. I was hoping to focus more on Fred Rogers personal life I think and not so primarily about the show. I wanted to know even more about the man behind the legacy.

[Pei · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A really comprehensive biography about Fred Rogers. Great insights into what influenced Fred Rogers to get into the world of children's television programming. Glad I've finished reading this before the movie!

[elorin-114220 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I learned a lot about Fred Rogers and his journey to become the man known as Mister Rogers. I didn't love the writing style, in sections where the series of events were very disjointed, and sometimes irrelevant to the narrative.

[wvlibrarydude · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A biographical character study that looked at the philosophy and actions of Mr Rogers as an educator. I am left with the impression that he was exactly who he was in the show. A man with a ministry to love those around him just as they are, especially children.

The writing was good, but not the wow of five stars. Fred Rogers was definitely five stars the more I read about him.

For years I have started my day at work singing the chorus of Won't You Be My Neighbor. Watching the show as a child made such a lasting impression on me, that I have wanted to share that message with those around me. This book just made it a more conscious choice to imitate Fred Rogers. That is what Saints inspire.

[bness2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very feel good read. If you have ever appreciated Mister Rogers even a little, this will warm your heart. Makes me wish we still had him around.

[reader1009-863136 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

nonfiction biography
who doesn't want to hear Levar Burton talk about Mr Rogers?

[wren73-89184 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a good book, however it could have been reduced about 1/3 or 1/2 the length. I really enjoyed the first half, but found it repeating much of the information, even using the same phrases at times. I am glad I read the book, however.

[jreynolds1959 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If anyone thinks that Fred Rogers was not as real as he was on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, they need to read this book. I remember my littlest just being spell-bound by that show, never wanting to miss it. I know how calm he was in watching it and now I can understand the reason.
Fred Rogers was everything that was protrayed on his show.

[bookbrig-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

During a rough month, this was like a balm to my heart.

[bookwyrmm_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful tribute to the beloved entertainer/educator, but the it was very slow in the beginning.

[dasam-5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Fred Rogers deserves a better biography. The facts are here but the book needs editing, with too much unnecessary repetition and a lack of organization.

[chrisk916 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fred Rogers strived to be and was an ordinary man Maxwell King has captured that well in his telling of the man in the Neighborhood. The references to his wealthy childhood and his opportunities are woven well into the work ethic and interest he had in creating quality television for children. The book is an homage, and clearly that. There is no place for retractors.

The knowledge that he was a perfectionist and unable to delegate is treated with a generous hand. His team was with him for decades.

I was left with a odd feeling with his decision to put off his health issues. Mr. King accepts that as his choice, but for a man that was so in tune with his health, that felt off.

The world was a better place with his contributions. I checked out streaming episodes of the neighborhood. They work today

Enjoy

[sweetiegherkin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This meticulous, well-researched biography is the first authorized biography to exist of famed children's television host and creator Fred Rogers. In it, King not only provides biographical details about Mister Rogers, but also meanders down relevant byways with information about the Pittsburgh area at the time of Rogers's childhood, the early days of television, and theories of child development and education.

Unlike many other biographies of well-loved celebrities, there are no skeletons in the closet here. It appears Rogers was just as wonderful off screen as he was on it. This is a perfect book to read when it seems like the whole world is falling apart; somehow Rogers is still able to provide a sense of peace and hope.

The audiobook version is narrated by LeVar Burton, who reads it in a calm and evenly paced manner, similar to way Mister Rogers addressed children through his show (and also similar to the way Burton himself narrated Reading Rainbow). This version also ends with an interview of the author.

[katherinegregg · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was anxious to learn more about Fred Rodgers after seeing A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. The biography tells Rodgers' story about growing up as an only child (and an adopted sister who came along much later) from a privileged family in Pennsylvania. Fred was a shy child who enjoyed playing with puppets from an early age. In college he meets his wife, Joanne Byrd, who is an accomplished pianist like Fred. Fred starts in television behind the scenes but soon moves in front of the camera where he stays for the rest of his career. At one point he returns to school where he gets a degree in divinity and becomes an ordained minister. Rodgers is a kind, religious man who cared deeply about children's programming. What you saw on the screen is what Rodgers was like in person.

[mrdickie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A somewhat repetitious biography of PBS children's education personality, Fred Rogers of Latrobe and Pittsburgh, PA. I borrowed this large print book from the county library system.

[othemts · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I know a bit about the life of Fred Rogers from watching the documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor and reading articles about him.  But I couldn't resist listening to the first book-length biography of Mr. Rogers narrated by another PBS hero, LeVar Burton.  King does a good job of getting a clear picture of Rogers' background, starting from childhood.

His family was wealthy, which allowed Rogers the opportunities to try his new ideas, but his parents' philanthropy and noblesse oblige also contributed to his humility and simple lifestyle.  Rogers was also affected by instances of childhood bullying and the sense that he could find support in the neighborhood of his hometown of Latrobe, PA. 

As a young man, Rogers learned television production and studied for the ministry, with the unorthodox plan of putting both callings toward educating children.  The big question of this book is whether the Mister Rogers we see on tv represents the real person, with the unanimous response of "yes" from people who know him.  So this book won't expose any "dark secrets" but it is a very good glimpse into how a wonderful man formed his philosophy for teaching children.

[scottjpearson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fred Rogers, a.k.a. Mr Rogers, grew up the son of a rich businessman, majored in music at college, got into television in the early years of NBC, studied at seminary to become a Presbyterian minister, started children's television at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto, and extended children's television into education with PBS. He is fondly remembered as being extraordinarily patient with children just by being himself. A generation of children - ok, maybe several generations of children - spend some of their earliest years being taught by this man about emotional intelligence and social formation. His work continues on to this day through the cartoon Daniel Tiger.

This book skillfully tells the story of his life, beginning as a sensitive young boy until his life as a retired king of broadcasting. It explains the quirks of his personality at every turn. It pays particular homage to his intellectual formation as a musician and as a seminarian studying child development under Dr. McFarland. Rogers incorporated facets from all parts of his life into his work and show. That is how he shared his creative genius with the world.

For those who have already been touched by the life and work of Fred Rogers, this book will bring back memories of learning under this influential man. For those who are not familiar with him, it will educate you on how a life - a male life, nonetheless - can be so fully dedicated to the well-being of children. Rogers thought it immoral to manipulate an innocent child through commercials and did not fully capitalize on his work. (Of course, he was born independently wealthy.) His idealism and kind goodness is well transmitted to the reader - or the listener - through this book.