Description
Good evening and cordial greetings
Book summary
This book offers the first complete biography of José María García, the journalist who revolutionized sports radio in Spain. Through its pages, the reader will discover how a late-night broadcaster managed to become a mass-market leader, setting the country's agenda and creating a listening habit that endures to this day. The work not only reviews his professional trajectory but also delves into his personal side, showing a contradictory, combative man who was a protagonist in key moments of Spain's recent history. An essential read for understanding the media phenomenon and the transformation of sports journalism.
What is it about?
The book chronicles the life and work of José María García, from his beginnings to his consecration as the most influential sports communicator in Spanish radio. The work explores how his late-night program, which began with the iconic greeting "Good evening and cordial greetings," achieved millions of listeners and created the habit of listening to sports in bed. It analyzes his ability to set the country's political and sports agenda, as well as his direct style and particular language, with which he lambasted officials, turning them into "leeches" or "lamppost huggers."
Beyond the media figure, the book portrays García as a man of his time, tied to the Spanish Transition and a protagonist of historical episodes such as the 23-F. It addresses his contradictions, his likes and dislikes, his attempt to create a media empire, and the political betrayal he suffered when he was about to achieve it. It also highlights his side as a natural fighter, capable of overcoming cancer. The work reveals previously untold aspects of his life.
Main themes
- Biography of José María García, a benchmark sports journalist.
- History of late-night sports radio in Spain and its social impact.
- Relationship between journalism, political power, and sports during the Transition.
- Analysis of mass leadership and media influence.
- Personal overcoming of adversity and illness.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at sports fans interested in learning about the figure who transformed sports information in Spain. It will also be of great interest to journalism students and professionals who want to understand the phenomenon of radio as an opinion maker. Likewise, readers of biographies and historical essays looking to understand the role of the media in Spain during the Transition and democracy will enjoy it.
What this book contributes
- Offers the first complete and documented biography of José María García, revealing unknown aspects of his life.
- Allows us to understand how a late-night radio show managed to become a mass phenomenon and set the country's agenda.
- Provides a unique view of sports journalism and its evolution in Spain, from the Transition to the present day.
- Helps to understand the complex relationship between the media, political power, and the world of sports.
- Presents a human portrait of a contradictory figure, showing both his successes and his failures and his ability to overcome.
Technical specifications
- Author: Ferrer Molina, Vicente
- Publisher: Córner
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Biography: general, Biography: sports, Literary essays, Sports and outdoor recreation
- Collection: SPORTS
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: January 2016
- Number of pages: 280
- Weight: 350 g
Editorial review
This work constitutes an essential document for understanding the figure of José María García, a journalist who transcended the sporting sphere to become a social reference. Vicente Ferrer Molina's research manages to balance biographical rigor with an agile narrative, offering a complete portrait of a fascinating and contradictory character. For those interested in the recent history of Spain, journalism, or sports, this book provides a unique perspective on how a late-night broadcaster was able to influence public opinion and define an era.