3 comments about Cronkite Remembers.

1. This is a celebration of Cronkite's more than 50 years of journalism. Cronkite shares some of his early childhood memories with us, like how he got his first start in journalism- -selling papers on street corners. He traces his career through writing for newspapers and acting out baseball games on radio. He also tells us about the war years, when he covered the war in newsreels from Europe. He describes how, in the days before satellites, film footage of Queen Elizabeth's coronation had to be flown across the ocean before it could be broadcast on this continent. He reminisces about his relationship with each of the presidents from Hoover through Reagan- -just the fact that he met and worked with so many presidents is a great indicator of his reputation as journalist. But in all of these interviews, recorded with Cronkite, his family, and co-workers, Cronkite never comes across as being overbearing or egotistical.
   
   Towards the end of this tape, Cronkite looks back and selects the most important stories that he covered. Among these are his famous opinion statement on Vietnam, when he set aside the goal of trying to remain objective and spoke his mind, based on what he saw on the ground in Vietnam. Later he talks about the Lunar landings, and how they left him unexpectedly speechless. For younger audiences, this could be an interesting overview of the main stories of the Twentieth Century. For older listeners, it's a walk down memory lane.



2. Don't confuse CRONKITE REMEMBERS with A REPORTER'S LIFE. The latter is a genuine memoir from TV's second greatest journalist (next to Edward R. Murrow). The former is a brief tape that breezes through events so quickly as to be wholly unsatisfying. Walter Cronkite has lived a long enough life and had a rich enough career to merit two autobiographies, but CRONKITE REMEMBERS is so superficially brief as to trivialize his career and the events he covered rather than add to our understanding of them. This isn't a terrible tape. It isn't unpleasant to listen to. I liked hearing Cronkite's voice, which I could only imagine while reading A REPORTER'S LIFE. But I was left wanting more - much, much more. That's why CRONKITE REMEMBERS merits a low rating. Skip this and get A REPORTER'S LIFE.



3. Walter Cronkite narrates his life, with comments from his friends and family. His life, however, is filled with special moments that make it very interesting. With humor and very personal opinions, he will take you from the day Kennedy was assassinated, to Russian bombs and Nazism, while at the same time providing insights about the American Presidents he met. In this narration, Cronkite shows a very human side, including comments about his mistakes while assessing news. I found this book very enjoyable to listen to, and if you have an interest in history, I think you will enjoy it too. Or as Cronkite would say: And that's the way it it!

2 comments about A Sole Survivor: Bits of Autobiography.

1. This excellent collection of Ambrose Bierce's writing, organized to replace the autobiography he never wrote.

   BUT, this is certainly not a biography. Bierce is not always fun to read. If you're looking for a fun biography, look elsewhere. If you've read enough of Bierce's writings to know what you're getting, give this book serious consideration.




2. This is the first book where the reader is taken through Bierce's life in his own words. From his experiences in the Civil War until his mysterious disappearance into Mexico in 1913, "Sole Survivor" tells Bierce's tale through his stories, newspaper work, and personal correspondence. A must-have volume for anyone interested in the great American journalist and author.

No comments about Life and Letters of Walter H. Page, Part 1.

No comments about Ask Harvey, Pls.

1 comments about Visions of Infamy: The Untold Story of How Journalist Hector C. Bywater Devised the Plans That Led to Pearl Harbor.

1. William Honan has done history buffs and strategists alike a signal service in presenting this exciting biography of Hector C. Bywater. Not content with a biography of this journalist, spy and prophet, Honan attempts to do more: understand Bywater's intellectual development--a transformation which led him to foresee what others felt was absurd: a trans-Pacific war between the U.S. and Japan. Honan unearths Bywaters public debates with none other than Franklin D. Roosevelt--at that time a naive pacifist--as well as coming close to proving that Japan's Admiral Yamamoto seized on Bywater's ideas to create the Japanese strategy that culminated in Pearl Harbor and the rout of MacArthur in the Phillippines. For strategists, Visions of Infamy carves a statue to what it really takes to think with vigor and independence.

No comments about Peregrina: Love and Death in Mexico (Louann Atkins Temple Women & Culture Series).

No comments about Post Biographies Of Famous Journalists.

2 comments about Never Let Them See You Cry.

1. Although this was Edna's second book about her escapades as police reporter in Miami, it was my first time reading her material. It definitely confirmed for me that investigation and police reporting is what I want to do. I generally agree with Ms. Buchanan's title "Never Let Them See You Cry," because in general, a woman has to be tough in this field. But I've also discovered a softer approach can sometimes elicit just as much information. You get really attached to police officers when you're on the beat (even though, as Buchanan did, I constantly had to write about them getting in trouble) and it's hard to keep objective when officers are hurt. But reporters are human too, and Buchanan and all other reporters can only make sure we get all sides of an issue and strive to be fair. Buchanan's description of the gruesome and the day-to-day humdrum of a newsroom is very well described in this book. Her descriptions of how police departments can cover up incidents for a long time is very accurate, as is her description of police informants to the press.



2. Edna Buchanan's "Never Let Them See You Cry" is a fast-paced account of the author's life as a crime reporter at the Miami Herald. Buchanan weaves into her book many compelling anecdotes about her days on the job. Some stories are heartwarming, such as those contained in a chapter on good samaritans who came to the aid of fellow citizens in need. Others are horrifying, making the reader involuntarily shake his or her head at the inhumanity and senseless loss that occurs every day in this crime-ridden city. Although at times the writing is trite (Buchanan's constant use of certain phrases quickly becomes cliche), the author displays a true passion for her work and packs several concise stories into a fascinating and eye-opening piece of true-crime prose.

1 comments about Legacy of Wisdom: Great Thinkers and Journalism.

1. Simply a must-read....not only for journalists, but anyone interested in modern application of classic (and not-so-classic) philosophic thought. From Korzybski to Aristotle, this book does not disappoint!

2 comments about Katharine and E. B. White: An Affectionate Memoir.

1. This book purports to be an "affectionate memoir." In reality, Russell paints an extremely unhappy picture of Katharine White's declining years. Russell entered the White household as Mrs. White's secretary, and while her account of Mrs. White's loosening grasp on reality is likely true (Mrs. White suffered from a number of serious health problems and was on countless medications) Russell's need to expose this story and to constantly portray herself as a victim leaves a very nasty aftertaste. The book ultimately says much more about Russell (almost all of it negative) than about either of the Whites.It should be mentioned that Russell adored E. B. White. Her perceptiveness concerning the White marriage, or any self-awareness, however, unfortunately seem to be nil.



2. This book purports to be an "affectionate memoir." In reality, Russell paints an extremely unhappy picture of Katharine White's declining years. Russell entered the White household as Mrs. White's secretary, and while her account of Mrs. White's loosening grasp on reality is likely true (Mrs. White suffered from a number of serious health problems and was on countless medications) Russell's need to expose this story and to constantly portray herself as a victim leaves a very nasty aftertaste. The book ultimately says much more about Russell (almost all of it negative) than about either of the Whites.It should be mentioned that Russell adored E. B. White. Her perceptiveness concerning the White marriage, or any self-awareness, however, unfortunately seem to be nil.