Around the World in Eighty Years
evokes long-vanished eras: the reign of the Hollywood potentates, early days of the United Nations, the joys and sorrows of Israel before it became Israel.

And it explores issues up to now inadequately examined: the gradual eclipse of the written word by mindless violent images; the erosion of democratic values as the mass media concentrate power in a few not always responsible hands, whose gadget-driven information without context threatens to create creatures out of Fritz Lang's film "Metropolis".

Around the World in Eighty Years addresses:
The betrayal of Anne Frank; did Danny Kaye go astray?; Reluctant genius: why Artie Shaw put away his horn; Ronald Reagan: global colossus or a "P.R. confection"?; The reconstruction of Doris Day; Sheilah Graham: the orphan who reinvented herself; Zanuck's portable men's room; Ed Murrow's family of "brothers"; Vivien Leigh's favorite recreation (censored); The night Chester Bowles was funny; How Truman really felt about MacArthur; George Polk: crucifixion of a crusader; Walter Winchell: slippery guru of gossip

Reviews

Los Angeles Times:
Ted Berkman is a biographer, screenwriter, teacher, lyricist and jazz pianist, a former ABC network commentator, author of the bestselling "Cast A Giant Shadow" and five other books with screen credits ranging from "Fear Strikes Out" to "Bedtime for Bonzo."

In his autobiography "Around the World in 80 Years: Newsrooms, Sound Stages, Private Encounters and Public Affairs," he combined lyrical descriptions ("Egypt is a tear; a long and hollow wail in the night and a wailing cry at dawning") with detailed reminiscences and sharp observations about the Middle East in the '40s and '50s and Hollywood in its heyday. History whispers from every page.

He vividly describes time spent with his great and good friend Sheilah Graham. He explains how Edward R. Murrow first took over a microphone. He sketches the famous with a few choice words ("Sevareid was a surprise. Icy and remote as a glacier, he made the bookish, reserved Burdett seem fiery by comparison").

Berkman's biographical subjects have included Harry Truman, Col. Mickey Marcus, Patty Hearst and James McNeill Whistler. In his autobiography, he has captured one of his most interesting subjects to date.
— Sue Schwartz, Santa Barbara

 More compelling than today's front page. For all its witty trappings, this century-long chronicle of media adventures is a serious book, history come alive. Great summer reading —- and winter reading, too.
Joseph Laitin, former White House spokesman

Terrific, sensational, a classic model both of superb literary style and gripping content.
Sam Shaw, Master Photographer

Ted's book is a gem!
— Walter Cronkite

Ted Berkman's Around the World in 80 Years is a fascinating compendium of evocative anecdotes, personal experiences, and sheer wisdom compiled by a man who has, literally, Seen It All. Dealing with such intriguing matters as the turbulent beginnings of Israel, the establishment of the United Nations, and the ever-daft Hollywood of the Twenties and Thirties, the book closes with Mr. Berkman's acerbic overview of today's greed-obsessed culture. This is one world tour you don't want to miss.           
Artie Shaw