This tell-all retrospective about the individuals who were responsible to give us Sesame Street is a wonderful treat to read. From the perspective of nonprofit innovational entrepreneurship it is a window on the whole process from concept to planning and funding. Then it gives details about the execution of the plan all in the context of the individual temperaments, failures, and the racial, gender, and cultural upheavals of the 1960s. Besides reminding us of the path-less wilderness that was children's television in its infancy, this book stirs up all sorts of memories for those of us old enough to remember the Captain, and even Howdy Dowdy, - all of us good do-bees now grown up and trying to be do-gooders who may someday get recognized in some magic mirror. For the nonprofit fund-raiser, Street Gang reminds us of the power of relationship to open big doors for otherwise under-known people as well as the protocol that even the biggest philanthropic board members must follow. It also connects us with our heart, smitten with Mr. Hooper, crying from the couch while Big Bird tries to get his big beak around the meaning of his death while the little kids watch without giving too many clues about their reactions. So, inspiration, recollection, reflection, and hind-sight combine to give insightful readers much to consider as we move towards a new season, new breakthrough technologies and their new implications for the future of our culture.
Davis, Michael. Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street. c. 2008. Viking. NY
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