Norman Corwin's One World Flight: The Lost Journal of Radio’s Greatest Writer (Continuum, edited by Michael Keith), a book composed of journal entries recorded by journalism writer in residence Norman Corwin (pictured) as he travelled the globe after World War II, was released this month.
During Corwin’s travels to 17 countries in 1946, he kept a journal of his personal thoughts and observations. It was put in a drawer where it remained for decades. More than 60 years after the trip, media historian Keith asked Corwin if he had kept a log of his One World Flight travels, which included stops in countries such as Czechoslovakia, India, Japan and China for a 13-part CBS series aired in 1947. He had, and his analysis of international communications still rings true today.
"The multitude who admire Norman Corwin as the iconic figure of radio can only be thrilled that the journal of his global expedition has been rescued," said Warren Christopher, former U.S. Secretary of State. "He was a writer of conscience whose work reflects an abiding interest in the lives of all peoples and their quest for a durable peace."
Toward the end of 1944, with an Allied victory in Europe apparently assured, CBS asked Corwin to prepare a program celebrating the anticipated event. On May 8, 1945, just after the collapse of Germany, CBS aired On a Note of Triumph, an epic aural mosaic. After the broadcast, phone calls and letters of praise flooded the network, including a letter from Carl Sandburg calling On a Note of Triumph “one of the all the all-time great American poems.” Corwin went on to win the first Wendell Willkie Award — a trip around the world sponsored by Freedom House and the Common Council for American Unity. Corwin accepted the Willkie Award on the condition it would be a working trip. He wanted the opportunity to record people in various countries and develop a series of documentaries on the state of the postwar world. CBS offered full support.
"What a treasure for posterity that Norman Corwin's One World Flight journal has been found and 21st Century readers will be able to share this journey with him," said broadcasting legend Walter Cronkite, who recently passed away. "Shortly after WWII, Corwin traveled the globe and produced a remarkable documentary series for CBS Radio. His personal journal entries, however, offer an even deeper dimension of his wisdom and humanity. Corwin's eloquent prose is breathtakingly incisive. This wonderful work only bolsters Norman Corwin's already secure place in the pantheon of America's greatest writers and thinkers."
Twelve of the first 13 book chapters are taken from Corwin's journal — in its entirety.
"When radio was king, Norman Corwin was its prime minister," television host Larry King said. "Treasures such as this book will last as long as there is the spoken word."
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: One Way Ticket: NY to NY
Chapter 2: Banks of the Channel (England and France)
Chapter 3: Peace in the North (Denmark, Norway, Sweden)
Chapter 4: Ruined City (Warsaw)
Chapter 5: "Why War?" (The Soviet Union)
Chapter 6: Land of Coalition (Czechoslovakia)
Chapter 7: Friends, Romans, Egyptians (Italy and Egypt)
Chapter 8: Nehru and Others (India)
Chapter 9: Under Heaven, Broken Family (China)
Chapter 10: Big Archipelagos (Japan and the Philippines)
Chapter 11: Reverse Spring (Australia)
Chapter 12: Operation Antipodes (New Zealand)
Chapter 13: Postscript to One World
