Rating: 
Summary: All the news that's fit...and more!
Review: 85% of this book-on-tape is the type of news centered memoire that you were probably hoping it would be. Stahl has a unique perspective on some of the major political developments of the last 30 years. This is her place to reflect on them. Among her stories are some particularly interesting behind-the-scenes accounts of the news industry itself, such as her fued with Daniel Shore.The other 15% is what seemed to be a slapped-together account of her personal life. These (thankfully) brief interruptions seem somewhat forced and distracted. Perhaps this is a result of a poor editing job as the book was converted from print to tape, but I have a feeling that Stahl set out to write about press and politics and her publisher demanded that she flesh out her account with some "human" stories. While the end result is interesting and satsifying, it also leaves the impression that Stahl is somewhat shallow. She seems to put her job before her personal life and her career before her job. She seems all-too ready to slink towards info-tainment when the industry is moving in that direction. The overall effect is not flattering on the state of contemporary TV news. I don't think that's her point, but that's how I felt when I finished listening. Despite its flaws, I enjoyed "Reporting Live." It was certainly a worthwhile choice for my last long car trip.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Read - But Reliable?
Review: I am sure she is preaching to the choir about her self-important life, but take it all with a grain of salt from the woman who still cannot undertand us 'normal' folk. "I predict historians are going to be totally baffled by how the American people fell in love with [Ronald Reagan] and followed him the way we did." - CBS News reporter Lesley Stahl, Jan. 11, 1989
Rating: 
Summary: Fabulous look back at recent history!
Review: I found this book very informative. An insiders view of Washington DC politics. I also enjoyed reading about the battle Leslie Stahl had to face to make it in television journalism, a once male dominated industry. Her feelings on that matter are relative to all women trying to work in male dominated fields. Her experiences give women insight on how best to deal the challenge of working in certain professional industries. This book is well written and easy to read.
Rating: 
Summary: An "insider's" view of Washington
Review: Lesley Stahl does a very good job of combining her remembrances of the men who occupied the White House and her own career as a CBS News correspondent. Her descriptions of all the presidents, and those nearest and dearest to them (both personally and publicly) are exactly right - from the paranoia of Richard Nixon on down. She stops with George Bush, probably because she wasn't in the Washington press corps anymore when Bill Clinton moved into the White House. Combined with Ms Stahl's description of Washington's inner circles over the years is a somewhat detached description of her years with CBS News and with her family. Her personal story is not badly written, but I didn't really get a sense of her feelings toward her parents or her daughter, although her love for her husband comes shining through. On the other hand, her various friendships, battles, and other interactions with Dan Rather, Bill Plante, and others in front of and behind the camera at CBS News are very well done; I got a good sense of what these people are actually like - more than what I see of them when I watch the news. It's truly a shame that Ms Stahl's description of her family life isn't as natural as the rest of her book. I had the pleasure of meeting her a few times when I was working behind the counter of the now-defunct Crown Books store a block away from the White House. I found her to be a warm, friendly person who spoke very naturally and lovingly about her daughter and other personal (but not TOO personal) topics - quite at odds with the impression I got reading her descriptions of them in her book. Even with all that I've mentioned here, I would still recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: absorbing, entertaining, humorous, smooth read
Review: Leslie Stahl has proven her writing abilities in this book. I breezed through it in one weekend. I particularly enjoyed the trip back in time and all the humorous political and personal stories. Her road to the top is similar to many women of her age group ( myself included) who had to scratch and claw our way up. It's nice to know that. Her storytelling is absorbing. I was disappointed when I got to the end. This was a great read if you like to know about behind the scenes in politics and journalism. She is refreshing when it comes to stories about herself and her life. I recommend this book to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Poor Abridgment of a Good Story
Review: Listening to this abridged audio has motivated me to want to read the book. Although I did enjoy listening to Stahl read the book herself (you could actually "hear" her smile !) I found that this abridgment was awkward and poorly done. It was choppy and many loose ends were never tied up (like Stahl's husband's bout with depression). I particularly disliked the way it did not segue gracefully from one topic to another but abruptly changed topics. I did like hearing about the minutae of her reporter's life and a lot of insider information about the presidents. I was fairly horrified to hear of Reagan's apparent mental decline during his years in office. Very scary.I also liked Stahl's honest opinions about many of the CBS brass. I am sure not all of them appreciated it. Looking forward to reading the book!
Rating:
Summary: Bravo, Ms. Stahl!
Review: This book is packed with info that political junkies will savor. Ms. Stahl packs each sentence with an interesting story. She reveals herself with honesty and humor. I enjoyed this book immensely, the stories on all the political players was most revealing. You'll love every page.
Rating:
Summary: So much to work with, but....
Review: This memoir begins in the author's 30th year (1972) when she went to work for CBS as a White House correspondent. It ends in 1992 when she left Washington to move to New York City and "60 Minutes" fame. Her story is well told with no whining and much humor. The political stories are many and deftly presented. She gives a primer on what it takes for a woman to be a top White House correspondent. It is not for the faint of heart. Think 12-hour days, constant traveling, stress to the max, keeping your adrenalin and aggressive instincts at a fever pitch at all times, and make sure you look glamorous no matter what. At times, I felt Ms. Stahl was too hard on herself. She reiterates that her husband, child and family are perfect; she caused the only clouds on the horizon. She and her mother are very close, and there is no mistaking the senior Ms. Stahl is a formidable lady. Her husband had some career problems that deeply depressed him. With the unbelievable pressures of her job, it's hard to see how she could cope with a family life at all. She is a wonderful mix of utmost aggression and high femininity. This is not a tell-all book. She admits to a rather staid romance with Bob Woodward and radiates a certain fondness for all the Commanders in Chief she served (with the exception of Richard Nixon). Her description of her interview with Margaret Thatcher is priceless. Let's just say Ms. Stahl did not come out victorious. Ms. Stahl is careful to credit all her colleagues, though she gives the CBS brass quite a pounding. Her comments on her boss, Dan Rather, are always supportive, but it is easy to see Mr. Rather is a difficult man to work for. The book is well written, as you would expect from a good journalist. It reads quickly and well. The author's cheerful compassion is hard to resist.
Rating:
Summary: An Exceptional Memoir!
Review: What an interesting read! While most bios take you from birth through an unremarkable (and lengthy) adolescence, Stahl starts the book (and her life, by her own declaration) at age 30. Then - boom! - we're immediately thrust into Watergate (she was dating Bob Woodward at the time), where Stahl was the only TV newsperson covering the initial - and seemingly un-newsworthy - burglary. From there, we're taken into each subsequent presidency - from Nixon to Bush Sr. - and shown how personnel, presidents, their staffs, and technology shaped TV news coverage of historical events. The product of CBS news' affirmative action plan (along with Bernie Shaw and Connie Chung that year), Stahl was promoted in the early '70s to the Washington bureau. We are treated to an indepth account of her professional and personal triumphs. Of course, she occasionally goofed, which she comically relays, as well. With each chapter titled for a president and first lady - Reagan gets two! - Stahl gives us the stories-behind-the-stories: correspondents outwitting each other for the scoop; Barbara Bush's surprisingly icy remarks and actions; Stahl's assessment of unsuccessful presidents; one White House staff that was hell-bent on getting rid of Dan Rather; the point when CNN emerged as the true news leader. That we get all this juicy, inside stuff is a testimony to the author. Only someone as busy as Stahl could supply it - she and her teased and hairsprayed "helmet" of a hairdo wore many hats: Chief White House Correspondent, Face the Nation host and America Tonight co-host during the Gulf War - at one point, all three at the same time! If you wonder why George Bush's presidency is the last chapter of the book - how could she resist Clinton's escapades? - it is because her memoir is meant only to tell the story of her most well-known beat: the White House. Believe me, you get a lot! And after years of hard work at CBS in Washington, Stahl at long last - after years of waiting and, I think, unfairly having to audition - earned the 60 Minutes gig and relocated to New York. If you enjoy books of a political nature, but told in an easy-to-understand manner, you'll find Stahl's respect and humility toward world news - and life - a pleasure to read. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: An Exceptional Memoir!
Review: What an interesting read! While most bios take you from birth through an unremarkable (and lengthy) adolescence, Stahl starts the book (and her life, by her own declaration) at age 30. Then - boom! - we're immediately thrust into Watergate (she was dating Bob Woodward at the time), where Stahl was the only TV newsperson covering the initial - and seemingly un-newsworthy - burglary. From there, we're taken into each subsequent presidency - from Nixon to Bush Sr. - and shown how personnel, presidents, their staffs, and technology shaped TV news coverage of historical events. The product of CBS news' affirmative action plan (along with Bernie Shaw and Connie Chung that year), Stahl was promoted in the early '70s to the Washington bureau. We are treated to an indepth account of her professional and personal triumphs. Of course, she occasionally goofed, which she comically relays, as well. With each chapter titled for a president and first lady - Reagan gets two! - Stahl gives us the stories-behind-the-stories: correspondents outwitting each other for the scoop; Barbara Bush's surprisingly icy remarks and actions; Stahl's assessment of unsuccessful presidents; one White House staff that was hell-bent on getting rid of Dan Rather; the point when CNN emerged as the true news leader. That we get all this juicy, inside stuff is a testimony to the author. Only someone as busy as Stahl could supply it - she and her teased and hairsprayed "helmet" of a hairdo wore many hats: Chief White House Correspondent, Face the Nation host and America Tonight co-host during the Gulf War - at one point, all three at the same time! If you wonder why George Bush's presidency is the last chapter of the book - how could she resist Clinton's escapades? - it is because her memoir is meant only to tell the story of her most well-known beat: the White House. Believe me, you get a lot! And after years of hard work at CBS in Washington, Stahl at long last - after years of waiting and, I think, unfairly having to audition - earned the 60 Minutes gig and relocated to New York. If you enjoy books of a political nature, but told in an easy-to-understand manner, you'll find Stahl's respect and humility toward world news - and life - a pleasure to read. I highly recommend it.
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