Interviewee: James A. Michener
Date of birth: February 3, 1907/78
Interviewer: Joan Stack
Interview date: 1985
Interview location: Mercer Museum
Interview length: 23 minutes
Time span discussed: 1930s to 1985
Summary: WBUX’s Joan Stack interviews James A. Michener upon his being awarded the keys to the town of Doylestown, PA, and his re-election as President of WBUX.
Time markers:
00:00 – introduction
00:22 – glowing praise of James Michener from interviewer
01:02 – thoughts about writing, live day to day to tell a good story
01:56 – advertisement
02:52 – being given key to Doylestown, memories of the old high school building
03:29 – great life in area, returned to Doylestown to live, got perspective when away
04:36 – Bucks County special place
04:47 – mere survival important, not worry about future
05:49 – harder to be young today (1985), tough life but pitfalls simpler; agencies in town helped him succeed
07:35 – second book The Fires of Spring set in Bucks County
09:42 – writing process; education key, good schools and good teachers
11:25 – teaching at George School during the depression, happy years; parents important to child’s success
13:43 – television inhibits conversation
14:32 – children need wide experiences
15:50 – finding life’s work at 30 to 35 (after having many experiences) normal
17:05 – WBUX’s history, small town radio station; communities need to grow and change
18:41 – work and experiences in Alaska
20:48 – 20 good ideas for more books
21:26 – desire for future-Russia and USA growing closer; world better with cooperation
22:24 – advertisement
22:55 – thank you and conclusion
