Susan, Linda, Nina & Cokie

The Extraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPR

By: Lisa Napoli

Narrated by: Lisa Napoli

A group biography of four beloved women who fought sexism, covered decades of American news, and whose voices defined NPR

In the years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, women in the workplace still found themselves relegated to secretarial positions or locked out of jobs entirely. This was especially true in the news business, a backwater of male chauvinism in which a woman might be lucky to get a foothold on the “women’s pages”. But when a pioneering nonprofit called National Public Radio came along in the 1970s and the door to serious journalism opened a crack, four remarkable women came along and blew it off the hinges.

Susan, Linda, Nina & Cokie is journalist Lisa Napoli’s captivating account of these four women, their deep and enduring friendships, and the trail they blazed to becoming icons. They had radically different stories. Cokie Roberts was born into a political dynasty, roamed the halls of Congress as a child, and felt a tug toward public service. Susan Stamberg, who had lived in India with her husband who worked for the State Department, was the first woman to anchor a nightly news program and pressed for accommodations to balance work and home life. Linda Wertheimer, the daughter of shopkeepers in New Mexico, fought her way to a scholarship and a spot on-air. And Nina Totenberg, the network’s legal affairs correspondent, invented a new way to cover the Supreme Court.

Based on extensive interviews and calling on the author’s deep connections in news and public radio, Susan, Linda, Nina, and Cokie is as beguiling and sharp as its formidable subjects.

©2021 Lisa Napoli (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

worthy of the npr founding mothers. loooved it

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Very inspirational! As a former broadcaster myself..

As a former broadcaster myself, I found this fascinating and relatable. We owe these incredible women a debt of gratitude!

Certainly a 5 star read if there is ever one.

Riveting to me as a long time NPR listener, also quite informative. Things I didn't know that I needed to know.

Excellent. Stellar. Important.

I learned so much, was drawn to the story, the rich content and history of these important women, shocked by how far we’ve slid back, after their hard, important work. Fallopian Jungle, ha! More like Queens who paved our way.

Must Read for NPR Nerds

Nearly 50 yrs of NPR membership flashed through my memory as I listened to and enjoyed not only the story of the Founding Mothers but also the history of NPR itself, the changing roles of women, & the impact of journalism on our times.

A little surprised

Purchased the book because of its great topic and my interest in NPR. Much detail about the founding (early years) and the important part these women played, but then it seemed to me just to abruptly end in that middle period. Just jumped to the epilogue. Still, very worth the listen and I appreciated the much-deserved recognition of the NPR Founding Mothers!

Loved it!

Loved the story both about the mothers and NPR history. Did not know about the near NPR bankruptcy in 1983 as was out of the country for two years then.

Exceptional book!

Well written, well researched, well told. Anyone who loves NPR or loves the women named in this title will enjoy this book.
Narration was smooth and enthusiastic and emphatic in just the right places.

A Must Read (or Listen)

Reading this book was a bit like having insight into a secret world. But, it was better - it was a trip through the history of women in America, the origins of NPR, and four giants of the airwaves. Lisa Napoli not only did justice to Susan, Linda, Nina, and Cokie, but provided a great gift to those of us readers who have long been enamored with NPR, public broadcasting, and honoring those powerful, brave women on whose shoulders we stand.

Tremendous book!

I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s. This book was a delightful look back and forward! I identified with so much and got such a different perspective on the place of women in our world. Thank you so much to these 4 women, the families that supported them, and the author. I’ve already invited the favorite females in my life to join me in reading it, together.