Peaceful Neighbor

Discovering the Countercultural Mister Rogers

By: Michael G. Long

Narrated by: George Newbern

Length: 8 hrs

Publisher's Summary

Fred Rogers was one of the most radical pacifists of contemporary history. We do not usually think of him as radical, partly because he wore colorful, soft sweaters made by his mother. Nor do we usually imagine him as a pacifist; that adjective seems way too political to describe the host of a children’s program known for its focus on feelings. We have restricted Fred Rogers to the realm of entertainment, children, and feelings, and we’ve ripped him out of his political and religious context. Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister, and although he rarely shared his religious convictions on his program, he fervently believed in a God who accepts us as we are and who desires a world marked by peace and wholeness. With this progressive spirituality as his inspiration, Rogers used his children’s program as a platform for sharing countercultural beliefs about caring nonviolently for one another, animals, and the earth.

To critics who dared call him “namby-pamby”, Rogers said, “Only people who take the time to see our work can begin to understand the depth of it.” This is the invitation of Peaceful Neighbor, to see and understand Rogers’ convictions and their expression through his program. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, it turns out, is far from sappy, sentimental, and shallow; it’s a sharp political response to a civil and political society poised to kill.

©2019 Michael G. Long (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

The author is in the land of make believe.

The author swerved around the truth. He guides the reader to believe Fred Roger's was a liberal Democrat when in reality he was a Christian, Conservative Republican who like many Christian, Conservative Republicans had a way to see people from the inside out. The author makes leading statements to conclude only liberal Democrats are not racist, not homophobic, and are peace seakers. When in reality Fred Roger's was all of those, enough to write a book about him and he in fact was a CHRISTIAN, CONSERVATIVE, REPUBLICAN. He was not a racist. He was not a homophob. Mister Roger's was accepting of handicapped individuals as well. He wanted peace. He was accepting of everyone and he wanted to be accepted for the man he was as well. If everyone would get off the political wagon they would realize we as a nation are much closer and accepting neighbors than all of the media outlets portray. Thank you, Mister Rogers.

peaceful neighbor for sure

I am a huge fan of Mr Rogers, both as a child who viewed him in the late 60s/early 70s, & as a parent of a now college age child. Like him, I am a Christian, & have long admired his television ministry & life walk from that standpoint. I was disappointed to learn of some of his religious beliefs that seem not to be quite in line with what I think the Bible says, however, each of us has the right to our own opinion, & each of our relationships with God is private, between Creator & created human. The book was quite interesting to me as i had no idea how ahead of & in tune with his times Mr Rogers was with the messages he packaged into his childrens program. The book shows correlations between Mr Rogers' personal life & world events & his programming. There was much more thought & depth than I ever knew. The narrator had a pleasant voice, but was clearly trying to sound as much like Mr Rogers talking as possible. Since it was NOT Mr Rogers himself, this was annoying to hear. I considered not listening to the whole thing, but am glad I did. Mr Rogers was a gift to our world.

The mind behind a the show

I grew up watching Mister Roger's, not all the episodes, but enough to have positive memories of it.
Some of the info shared in this story is not surprising at all, and with context things that surprised me to hear become clear. with the listen to learn about the man behind make believe

Thoroughly enjoyed!

I absolutely loved this! Brought me back to certain episodes during my childhood, not realizing that the momentous impact they would have nor the subliminal meaning behind them. Absolutely recommend!!

Wonderful story of an important man

I knew of his story as it was happening but this book weaves a fascinating summary of an important life.

So many heartfelt thoughts and memories.

Well worth the read. wanted my heart remembering all the episodes and the general peace he continues to bring to my world.

could not finish this book

So underwhelmed by this book. I didn't get far and gave up. I thought if a movie was made it had to be good. Poor Mr. Rogers would be ashamed of me. Maybe this just wasn't for me. Really sorry I wasted my time and money on this book.