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Happy Talk by Oscar Hammerstein II
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Happy Talk

A "This I Believe" Essay

$2.09

Narrator Oscar Hammerstein II

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Length 5 minutes
Language English
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In this essay originally aired in the 1950s, musical librettist and producer Oscar Hammerstein explains the importance of declaring your happiness, even in the face of global conflicts and personal disappointments, in "Happy Talk", his contribution to NPR’s This I Believe series.

This I Believe is a National Public Radio program that features Americans, from the famous to the unknown, completing the thought that begins with the series title. The pieces that make up the program compel listeners to re-think not only what and how they have arrived at their own personal beliefs, but also the extent to which they share them with others.

Featuring a star-studded list of contributors that includes John McCain, Isabel Allende, and Colin Powell, as well as pieces from the original 1950's series including Helen Keller and Jackie Robinson, the This I Believe book collection also contains essays by a Brooklyn lawyer, a woman who sells yellow pages advertising in Fort Worth, TX and a man who serves on the state of Rhode Island's parole board. The result is a stirring, funny and always provocative trip inside the minds and hearts of a diverse group of Americans whose beliefs, and the incredibly varied ways in which they choose to express them, reveal the American spirit at its best.

This short audio essay is an excerpt from the audiobook edition of NPR's This I Believe anthology.

Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) was librettist, playwright, producer, and director who is best known for his collaborations with Richard Rodgers. As Rodgers and Hammerstein, the pair were key players during the golden age of musical theater, creating wildly successful classic plays such as The Sound of Music, The King and I, Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, and the television musical Cinderella. Hammerstein co-wrote more than 850 songs, winning eight Tony Awards as well as two Academy Awards for Best Original Song.

Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) was librettist, playwright, producer, and director who is best known for his collaborations with Richard Rodgers. As Rodgers and Hammerstein, the pair were key players during the golden age of musical theater, creating wildly successful classic plays such as The Sound of Music, The King and I, Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, and the television musical Cinderella. Hammerstein co-wrote more than 850 songs, winning eight Tony Awards as well as two Academy Awards for Best Original Song.

Illustration of person sitting

Shop small, give big!

With credit bundles, you choose the number of credits and your recipient picks their audiobooks—all in support of local bookstores.

Start gifting
Phone showing make the switch message

Limited-time offer

Get two free audiobooks!

Now’s a great time to shop indie. When you start a new one credit per month membership supporting local bookstores with promo code SWITCH, we’ll give you two bonus audiobook credits at sign-up.

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Give audiobooks, support local bookstores! Start gifting