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Rather Outspoken: My Life in the News Audiobook
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(3.04) - 319 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
An in-depth memoir from famed newsman Dan Rather, who looks back over his storied and sometimes controversial career and reveals his personal thoughts and reflections.
This memoir by Dan Rather is told in a straightforward and conversational voice, and covers all the important moments of his journalistic career, including a frank accounting of his dismissal from CBS, the Abu Ghraib story, the George W. Bush Air National Guard controversy, new insights on the JFK assassination, the origin of "Hurricane Dan" as well as inside stories about all the U.S. Presidents he covered and all the top personalities Dan has either interviewed or worked with over his distinguished career.
The book will also include Dan's thoughts on the state of journalism today and what he sees for its future, as well as never-before-revealed personal observations and commentary.
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"Ever since I saw him question Richard Nixon, I have always liked Dan Rather. This memoir is a very interesting book. Rather, of course, presents his own account of the controversy with CBS over his report on George W. Bush's alleged skipping of military obligations. It sounds convincing, but without studying all sides I can't say anything definitive. But the accounts of Rather's experiences in such places as Vietnam and Afghanistan and his impressions of all of the presidents since Eisenhower make for good reading. More significantly, his discussion of the growing corporate control of network news as well as other news outlets, particularly newspapers, is troubling. All in all, this book is both an entertaining and enlightening read."
— Gary (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Rather turns in a professional and compelling performance. His narration is sonorous, clear, and smooth, his voice trustworthy and tinged with the soft remnants of his Texas accent.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred audio review) -
“Throughout the book, he delivers strong punches at those who stood in his way, but he also has much praise for the coworkers who joined him in his quest for the truth. With his usual conversational writing style, he maintains a personal connection with his readers in this riveting and revelatory autobiography that can also serve as a valuable textbook for anyone studying journalism.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“The author’s narration is well paced, consistently appropriate in tone and inflection, and commanding of listener attention in a personal yet highly relaxed way. Rather’s slight Texas twang has never sounded more charming. The years may have slightly mellowed his assertive personality, but a strong ego is front and center in this well-written and well-voiced memoir.”
— AudioFile -
“By turns an absorbing biography and a thought-provoking cautionary tale.”
— Booklist -
“An engaging grab-bag: party folksy homage to roots, part exposé of institutional wrongdoing, and part manifesto for a truly free press.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
Rather Outspoken Listener Reviews
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" Excellent look into the the life of a veteran investigative journalist. I learned far more about the "back room politics" of network news than I knew existed, and have a new-found respect for Mr. Rather and his accomplishments. I listened to the audiobook - would highly recommend it. "
— Linda, 2/5/2014 -
" While this was not the detailed behind-the-scene memoir I was looking for, it was still an informative and enjoyable read. Think of this as more of a fire-side reminiscence. Dan Rather concentrates mainly on the reason he left CBS and his report on Bush II's military service...or lack of. He seems bitter often, which he should be. But there are also some nice insights in this book on Rather's early career and two chapters on his take on the presidents from Eisenhower to Obama and how they treated the press. However, what I appreciated the most was Rather's stance on how the network news organization went from being stand-alone organizations to very small cogs in a global corporate entity beholden to political interests. I consider Rather one of the last real TV newsman molded after Morrow and Cronkite and before corporations and political lobbyists took control of the news business. Nothing in the book swayed me from this opinion. "
— Marvin, 2/4/2014 -
" There are parts of this book that deserve five stars and others that deserve one. "
— Kristen, 1/27/2014 -
" Great book and perspective on journalism. BTW, if you think Dan was fired from CBS for reporting a false story and/or a story based on false documents, that would not be neither accurate nor complete. "
— Dana, 1/16/2014 -
" From someone inside the news, a look at how the news gets twisted. I was interested in Rather's version of his firing from CBS, and as always, appreciated his great passion. "
— Kate, 1/8/2014 -
" This one really makes you think about how much news we never hear about because it could hurt a politicians chance if re-election... "
— Gmergler, 1/7/2014 -
" OK book. I like Dan Rather and respect his perspective on the social events he discusses in his book. As a history teacher my interest was high and I enjoyed what I. However, I don't think I would recommend this book. It really starts to drag toward the end of the book. Great reporter, OK writer. "
— Ken, 1/3/2014 -
" I like Dan Rather. But I wasn't crazy about this book. Maybe if the first chapters weren't first it would make a huge difference. As is, you really start at the end of his career without any background info to help you follow the "story." Even when you get past that it is slow reading. "
— Marci, 10/31/2013 -
" A must read to understand the corporatization, politicization and trivialization of the news in the author's words. "
— doug, 10/13/2013 -
" Interesting insider perspective on reporting major news events. heard mr. Rather speak at printers roe lit fair. Fascinating speaker! "
— Florence, 9/10/2013 -
" A great walk through the important American political stories of the past five decades but more importantly, a somber reflection on the corporatization, politicization, and trivialization of news. "
— Nicole, 8/15/2013 -
" Very good. Good criticisms of CBS and U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan. Complete discussion of life and times of the investigative reporter. "
— Al, 4/5/2013 -
" I enjoyed Rather's memoir, particularly the parts that brought me back in history with the stories he covered (i.e. civil rights movements, etc.). "
— Gail, 3/28/2013 -
" I have always been a HUGE fan of Dan Rather and this book just makes me like him more! "
— Bailey, 3/26/2013 -
" Very informative really takes you behind the scenes to show us the political influence on the the news we are ALLOWED to see "
— Robert, 3/3/2013 -
" I have always liked reading about journalists and this was no exception. I have watched Dan Rather's career, as well as his fall from grace. This book clears up a lot of questions I had about what happened and it also includes a lot of stories I had not known. "
— Sue, 1/10/2013 -
" Clears up some misconceptions about this true journalist. "
— Adam, 9/10/2012 -
" Great read. Dan Rather is probably the last of the all-time professional investigative reporters. His career was impeccable and only when politics and ratings became more important than the news did he have to leave CBS and begin his career anew. "
— Patrick, 6/21/2012 -
" Dan Rather blowing his own horn. I even found typos in the book!!! "
— Ginni, 3/28/2012
About Dan Rather
Dan Rather is an American journalist and former news anchor for CBS Evening News. Known as “the hardest working man in broadcast journalism,” he has reported on a variety of historical events, including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy; the civil rights movement; the wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf, and Iraq; the terror attacks of September 11, 2001; and many others. He has received numerous Emmy Awards, as well as seven Peabody Awards. He is the author of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including Rather Outspoken: My Life in the News, America at War, The American Dream, The Camera Never Blinks, and more.