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  • Superman

  • The Unauthorized Biography
  • By: Glen Weldon
  • Narrated by: George Newbern
  • Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (30 ratings)

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Superman

By: Glen Weldon
Narrated by: George Newbern
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Summary

How has the Big Blue Boy Scout stayed so popular for so long? How has he changed with the times, and what essential aspects of him have remained constant? This fascinating biography examines Superman as a cultural phenomenon through 75 years of action-packed adventures, from his early years as a social activist in circus tights to his growth into the internationally renowned demigod he is today.

Written by NPR book critic, blogger, and resident comic-book expert Glen Weldon, this biography chronicles the ever-evolving Man of Steel and his world - not just the men and women behind the comics, movies, and shows, but his continually shifting origin story, burgeoning powers, and the colorful cast of trusted friends and deadly villains that surround him. Superman places every iteration of the Man of Steel into the character's greater, decades-long story: from Bud Collyer to Henry Cavill, World War II propagandist to peanut-butter pitchman, Super Pup to Super Friends, comic strip to Broadway musical, Lori Lemaris to Lois & Clark, it's all here.

Affectionate and in-depth, this biography contains analyses of the hero's most beloved adventures, in and out of the comics - his most iconic Golden Age tales, goofiest Silver Age exploits, and the contemporary film, television, and comics stories that keep him alive today.

©2013 Glen Weldon (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC
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What listeners say about Superman

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A Super read!

An amazing retrospective of Superman's long history. It gave me a much better understanding of the character's earlier years. There's also no better narrator than Supe's himself - George Newbern!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding research and flawless narration

Cannot fault this on any facet of it's production. Absolutely excellent and a joy to listen to

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Detailed and well told.

A thoroughly researched and comprehensive biography of the greatest super hero of them all. The author has an obvious affection for the subject and an easy, chummy way of telling the more than 70 year old story. The only drawback really is that it came out in 2013, and quite a bit has happened in the world of the "big blue boy scout" since then. Hardly the author's fault, but a new edition would be excellent.

The narrator is good too, capturing both the epic scale of the character without taking it too seriously.

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Super deep dive on the man of steel

Interesting look back at the birth and life of superman and his relevance in popular culture since 1938

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