Rating: Summary: a slap-dash effort Review: Bernard Goldberg's theme is a good one. I'd hoped for support of that theme with heavy use of anecdotal evidence. Some of that is here. Otherwise, its a whine about Dan Rather's cold-shoulder after Goldberg's original op-ed piece in the WSJ. His writing is often exclamatory which strengthened the feeling that he was throwing in emotion to back up weak points. There are often surprising leaps from disconnected premises to, what he would have us believe, are obvious conclusions. The book was not a total waste of time. I believe the idea that our news should be digested while keeping in mind its distribution through mainly liberal filters is important. Mr. Goldberg does present a few anecdotes which demonstrate this in the book but the problem is that there are as many weak ones presented with as much emphasis. I also didn't like the amount of time spent personally vindicating himself. It made me question his motives and his own bias.
Rating: Summary: WOW, This is a great read Review: I bought this book hoping to learn some things about the media industry, but got much more in return. As a conservative I knew the media leaned to the left, we all know that. To read from a professed liberal his stand up explanations as to what he believes without pulling punches makes this book even more riviting. You understand a little more about why liberals think the way they do which really answers some questions we conservatives are always asking. He doesn't preach liberalism, he just lets you know he is a liberal. He then attacks his own media system for not giving the American people the real news but the left wing view of the news. It was far better then I expected. Must read!!!!
Rating: Summary: speed reader's delight Review: This is a very clever book on developing speed reading. The author disguised it as a nonfiction account of the "liberal" news media, but as I discovered, if you only read the pages in which the author provides verifiable facts to support his reasoning, then you can finish the book before moving from the library book shelf. Imagine, two hundred pages in five minutes! I almost got finger blisters turning the pages so quickly.I learned years ago in college that when reading a non-fiction book, other than, let's say, most memoirs, that if the book is without reference materials, a bibliography, or notes that allows the reader to verify the information, then the book is most likely a sham. "Bias" has zero references that would allow the curious reader to independently authenticate the writer's claims. I also did not notice at least semi-complete transcripts to allow for the writer's alleged quotes to be understood in context. The author is strictly operating on a "trust me" basis. If that's good enough for you, then I have a 70's VW to sell you (only driven once, really would I lie!). Regardless of your political orientation, the author should desire an intelligent audience. By stating his views as proven facts, the author violates the trust given by his audience to treat them with intellectual respect. Another book, "What Liberal Media? The Truth About Bias and the News" by Eric Alterman, actually considers the accusations of the Bias author and finds the claims lacking substance. Sure, Alterman is a liberal, but he gives a full forty pages of references (roughly a fifth of the Bias book's total pages) to back up his claims, and to allow the reader to look for her/himself. In sum, if you want to know who is "Biased" consider who is preferring to hide the information vs. who gives it to you to make up your own mind. I don't have to agree with all of Alterman's conclusions, but at least he gives me the opportunity to judge the facts on my own.
Rating: Summary: BIAS is biased! Review: How the hell can someone try to convince your reader that there is "male oppression" in America and turn around in the same chapter and say "Meredith Vieira of 'The View,' THE ABC GABFEST FOR WOMEN"!?!?!" Basically, the whole book is to justify his op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, which destroyed his career. If you're a democrat/liberal you probably won't like it.
Rating: Summary: Hello, Enlightenement Review: Bernie's a fair man. More accurately, an intellectually honest man, which is refreshing. The back of the book says it all "His case is air tight." He states things so clearly and fair it's tough to disbelieve and impossible to disprove.
Rating: Summary: Who isn't biased? Review: This was an excellent description and right on commentary on the media becoming more than it should be. Mr. Goldberg has described the state of the media and it weaknesses very well. He has accurately illuminated some of the idiocy and illogical thinking. Mr. Goldberg exposes the realities that the media is full of "people" with just as many agendas and quirks as the average Joe. The only difference is that these same individuals have somehow elevated their positions, behind the cameras, microphones, and written word to a point that they can't any longer see their lack objectivity. This book serves admirably to expose those who "can't see the forest for the trees." I listened to the audio book before I read the book and thoroughly digested both.
Rating: Summary: incoherent vitriol Review: Mr. Goldberg knows how to make a buck; he doesn't know how to write a book. Rants and raves will delight Cons... those who wish to learn would do better elsewhere.
Rating: Summary: A great inside account Review: I found this book better than I ever thought it would be. I bought it in December but didn't read it until April due to my low expectations of the book. I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised! Goldberg did a tremendous job and I am actively recommending it to all of my conservative colleagues.
Rating: Summary: Shooting the messenger doesn't work.... Review: I'm nearly sixty years old. I've seen the evolution of news from accurate information on almost any subject in 1950 to the current entertainment network shows. Bernard Goldberg is completely accurate in his book, and in fact does acknowledge everyone has bias, but questions why news anchors these days, like politicians and attorneys, have developed the art of trivalizing the messenger. Unfortunately I also listen to the BBC which has also fallen prey to covering only what is popular. However, if you get nothing else from the book, listen carefully to the special terms like "controversial", etc. on the news. When anyone uses these types of terms, they are playing you!
Rating: Summary: Boring, but interesting at times Review: Bernard Goldberg's book is an attack on the bias found within the media industry. Goldberg displays data, interviews and his own personal insight from working at CBS News for many years. While I agree with many things he said, the book was a bit monotonous as Goldberg attempted to state his points many times over that many times it felt as if Goldberg was "beating a dead horse." Perhaps the best part about this book is Goldberg's dislike and personal feud with Dan Rather. Everyone knows that Rather is a kook so hearing it from someone who has worked with Rather for years was quite funny. You may agree or disagree with what Goldberg claims is bias. However, I couldn't turn a blind eye to the monotony of this book.
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