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Shooting Straight: Guns, Gays, God, and George Clooney
Despite many wanting him to fail, Piers Morgan took over from US TV legend Larry King at CNN in 2010 and went on to cover some of the most shocking news events in recent US history, such as the killing of Osama bin Laden, the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy and horrific shooting rampages including the Newtown school massacre.
In Shooting Straight Piers shares the diaries that he kept in this rollercoaster period of his life.
Thrown right into the maelstrom of the US media, Piers finds himself rubbing shoulders with everyone from Mel Gibson and Charlie Sheen to the US President himself. Not to mention, Oprah, Rod Stewart, Meryl Streep, Woody Allen, Dustin Hoffman, Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, Goldie Hawn, the Dalai Lama and Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
As Piers gets more and more drawn into commenting on American culture, one issue - gun control - provokes the most incredible and heart-rending response of all, dividing the country dramatically. And, as usual, Piers is in the thick of it.
In Shooting Straight Piers shares the diaries that he kept in this rollercoaster period of his life.
Thrown right into the maelstrom of the US media, Piers finds himself rubbing shoulders with everyone from Mel Gibson and Charlie Sheen to the US President himself. Not to mention, Oprah, Rod Stewart, Meryl Streep, Woody Allen, Dustin Hoffman, Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, Goldie Hawn, the Dalai Lama and Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
As Piers gets more and more drawn into commenting on American culture, one issue - gun control - provokes the most incredible and heart-rending response of all, dividing the country dramatically. And, as usual, Piers is in the thick of it.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2013
About the author
Piers Morgan
25 books54 followersPiers Stefan Pughe-Morgan (born Piers Stefan O'Meara), known professionally as Piers Morgan, is a British journalist and television presenter. He is editorial director of First News, a national newspaper for children.
Morgan branched into television mainly as a presenter, but has become best known as a judge or contestant in reality television programmes. In the UK, he was a judge on Britain's Got Talent. Morgan is best-known in the United States as a judge on the show America's Got Talent, and as the winner of The Celebrity Apprentice. On 17 January 2011, he began hosting Piers Morgan Tonight for CNN in the timeslot previously occupied by Larry King Live before the retirement of host Larry King.
Morgan has authored eight books, including three volumes of his memoirs.
Morgan branched into television mainly as a presenter, but has become best known as a judge or contestant in reality television programmes. In the UK, he was a judge on Britain's Got Talent. Morgan is best-known in the United States as a judge on the show America's Got Talent, and as the winner of The Celebrity Apprentice. On 17 January 2011, he began hosting Piers Morgan Tonight for CNN in the timeslot previously occupied by Larry King Live before the retirement of host Larry King.
Morgan has authored eight books, including three volumes of his memoirs.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 20, 2013
Prior to reading Shooting Straight, I read a ton of reviews (including reviews on Goodreads) that said the majority of the book is about Piers' gun rights campaign. I finished this book today and I learned that this is about 10% of the book. The rest is a behind the scenes take from Piers Morgan himself about his show, his personal life, and his career. It was really interesting to see different events over the last 3-4 years from his perspective. I also really liked that it was in the diary format. It was kind of like a really long timeline.
I haven't read Piers' other books but I want to now, especially if they precede the events in this book. He's a really good writer and his stories are surprisingly very interesting, most especially when they involve interviews with big-name personalities.
I haven't read Piers' other books but I want to now, especially if they precede the events in this book. He's a really good writer and his stories are surprisingly very interesting, most especially when they involve interviews with big-name personalities.
October 5, 2013
This book is written in a journal style, with entries coming every few days. Most of the book focuses on his new job at CNN and how he got adjusted there. Even if you don't agree with his gun views, most will find this a fascinating read.
January 2, 2014
Before reading SHOOTING STRAIGHT, I knew little about Piers Morgan's background. His book contains interesting stories and was well-done.
At first I wondered about the diary format for the entries in the book but it made sense and was a good device. I enjoyed reading SHOOTING STRAIGHT. If you want to know more about Piers Morgan and the business of creating a show at CNN. I highly recommend it.
At first I wondered about the diary format for the entries in the book but it made sense and was a good device. I enjoyed reading SHOOTING STRAIGHT. If you want to know more about Piers Morgan and the business of creating a show at CNN. I highly recommend it.
December 13, 2023
I'm sorry Piers, but considering you're a citizen of the English Realm and not an American you get NO say in our politics or our constitution. So us gun-toting Americans will ignore your limey bum and your opinions on the Second Amendment. I will finish reading your book, but pardon me if I skim and skip over all your gun bashing bs.
September 21, 2013
I enjoyed this book for what it was. It's really just a bit of anecdotes and memoirs of what occurred leading up to his show taking over for Larry King and some of the more noteworthy news stories and show moments over the first three years. It reads like a personal diary, really. The irony of reading this book now of course is that his show has been cancelled. I can't say I was a regular viewer or monitored his ratings but they must have really dipped in the final year for the show to totally go away so quickly, seeing as the book ends in the Spring of 2013 and things seemed particularly rosy for the show at that time. It's a shame though. I would watch it from time to time, and I always loved that he was the one big celebrity voice of reason in the anti-gun movement. I have a trivial love hate relationship with Piers. I love his common sense on guns and his British wit and humor, but I tend to not like him on Saturday mornings as he's an avid Arsenal fan, and I'm a Manchester United fan. Like I said....trivial. Luckily he really doesn't mention Arsenal in this book, which is nothing short of amazing. Anyway, I push through his absurd soccer moaning to keep with the more important real world stuff. His twitter is a pretty good follow. I don't want to get into a big political rant, especially in a book review, but I will say my view on guns took a sharp turn on July 20, 2012. That's when my friend Jessica Redfield was murdered in the Aurora movie theater massacre. I never particularly liked guns prior to that. My feelings went starkly negative on them thereafter. The whole situation is forever surreal, but adding one more surreal moment is reading along as Piers talks about her (and her lovely mother, who fights the good fight against guns in her daughters memory) in this book. It's weird to read those pages and think to yourself...I used to laugh with that sweet girl, right here in my office or at the hockey game. Knowing someone killed in such a tragic way is an experience that too many of us in this country have had, and I can tell you from personal experience, it is awful. But of course everyone continues on with their "this will never happen to me" state of mind. You're wrong. Anyway, the logic presented here on the gun topic is absolutely spot on. I'll just leave it at that. The other staggering thing that occurred to me as I read through this was how many major news stories have happened in the last few years.....and how we've already forgotten all of them. In this instant social media news cycle, nothing stays in our minds for longer than a few hours
(or days if it's particularly awful) and then it's on to the next story. That's about all any news story gets anymore. It's quite insane and even I was a bit embarrassed to think to myself.....I can't believe I haven't thought about this news story or that news story recently. The most staggering being Sandy Hook, of course. It's a sad and depressing commentary that Sandy Hook could happen and the only thing we did about it as a country was majorly increase gun sales in the wake of proposed legislation that we all knew never had a chance. Talk about a bunch of cowards for leaders. I really can't think of anything worse than young children being blown away like that....and even that moved us all to do......absolutely nothing. It's an awful feeling. Staggeringly depressing for us as a society. But life goes on, doesn't it? It always does. Anyway, this book really highlights the ever changing and rapidly moving news cycle. It's always on to the next big disaster and even the most horrible things are forgotten far too easily and quickly. It's also a really interesting look at what happens behind the scenes making a big live news broadcast. I enjoyed it. It's an easy read.
(or days if it's particularly awful) and then it's on to the next story. That's about all any news story gets anymore. It's quite insane and even I was a bit embarrassed to think to myself.....I can't believe I haven't thought about this news story or that news story recently. The most staggering being Sandy Hook, of course. It's a sad and depressing commentary that Sandy Hook could happen and the only thing we did about it as a country was majorly increase gun sales in the wake of proposed legislation that we all knew never had a chance. Talk about a bunch of cowards for leaders. I really can't think of anything worse than young children being blown away like that....and even that moved us all to do......absolutely nothing. It's an awful feeling. Staggeringly depressing for us as a society. But life goes on, doesn't it? It always does. Anyway, this book really highlights the ever changing and rapidly moving news cycle. It's always on to the next big disaster and even the most horrible things are forgotten far too easily and quickly. It's also a really interesting look at what happens behind the scenes making a big live news broadcast. I enjoyed it. It's an easy read.
May 11, 2021
Piers Morgan is someone I love to hate or a guilty pleasure; I can't really decide. This book is not his best. It is very gun related and how Congress refuse to change the law with lots of antidotes of mass shootings so it didn't sit comfortably for me. However, Piers is a journalist and the book was well written and did hold my attention to the end but at times it was a slog and quite repetitive, especially the political analysis of the second amendment and how it is not relevant in today's society, which I do agree with. It couldn't have been shorter because it is diary based and therefore covers 365 days, so expect this. There is also a lot about his career at. CNN & Fox News which didn't really interest me. I struggle with my own without reading about anyone else's success. I personally would've preferred a different format, less about Piers' opinions and guests he has interviewed and it too be shorter as the point had been well made by about three quarters through.
October 29, 2015
This book covers the start of Piers Morgan taking over from Larry King on CNN. How he found his feet as a CNN host, and how he found his passionate cause in gun control.
A brilliant, no holds barred, in your face book, that is entertaining, thought provoking, and shocking in equal measure.
Highly recommended, regardless of where you stand on gun control. In fact, the gun control issue doesn't come into it until quite late in the book, given that the book is written in diary format. I like this format from Piers. It makes it easier to see the linear progression of his experiences.
Piers Morgan writes like he speaks, full of fire, passion, and self deprecating humour.
Gave it five stars mostly because I remember all the events of the book, and how I felt about them, this gave the book more resonance for me.
A brilliant, no holds barred, in your face book, that is entertaining, thought provoking, and shocking in equal measure.
Highly recommended, regardless of where you stand on gun control. In fact, the gun control issue doesn't come into it until quite late in the book, given that the book is written in diary format. I like this format from Piers. It makes it easier to see the linear progression of his experiences.
Piers Morgan writes like he speaks, full of fire, passion, and self deprecating humour.
Gave it five stars mostly because I remember all the events of the book, and how I felt about them, this gave the book more resonance for me.
November 11, 2013
Watched an interview today on Book-TV which was hosted by the National Press Club. Piers was allowed to speak uninterrupted for the hour. I liked what I heard and I share his incredulity over America's lack of action re gun violence--the 1996 Dunblane, Scotland, massacre occurred while he still resided in Great Britain where/when 18 children were killed. It was, in effect, a Sandy Hook and laws were subsequently enacted. He wonders what it will take for common-sense gun laws to be enacted in America, and he continues his personal crusade against guns on his show. Unfortunately, 50% Americans are so full of the disease they don't recognize the symptoms.
December 6, 2015
I love Piers. Highly entertaining, written in diary form covering a three year period. Numerous stories of his encounters with celebrities and interesting tales of what happened with guests in the studio prior to going on Piers Morgan Live. And the endless run ins with these pro-gun nutters in the US!! Great read.
August 16, 2024
Wanted to read of of Piers's books as I'm fascinated by the degree of polarisation about him. He tries hard to define his early days in the US as a gun-reform advocate, but there was always a sneaking suspicion in my mind that he was doing so with an eye to the ratings. Even after 11 years, the state of America remains about the same.
Read
February 10, 2016This one is a good one. i enjoyed reading about how he got the CNN job and the ins and outs of getting an interview. he's out of the job now, but I enjoyed his rans about gun ontrol, though, we've not been able to get any legislation enacted and the carnage goes on!!!
December 30, 2013
Really interesting stories. Looks like he has alot of support for gun reform.
October 21, 2014
Even outsize personalities suffer from anxiety on the eve of a job change -- http://bit.ly/NervousRR (The Reading Room)
Want to Read
October 18, 2013A get well gift from my lovely friend Ashley.
March 20, 2017
An interesting read (if you like Piers Morgan) although this was a bit tougher to get through.
This covers from 2010 to 2013 when he was making a name for himself (for the wrong reasons towards the end) on US TV as the host of the CNN chat show formerly fronted by Larry King.
It's a difficult one - Piers' audience in this book will be his (mainly) UK fans (I use the word loosely) who have followed his previous diaries of life in the UK media scene and will be used to his constant name-dropping etc. On the other hand, a lot of his interviewees (particularly towards the end covering the 2012 election) will be unknown to the average UK reader so of less interest.
What does come through in the books is his increasing disbelief at the US gun control (or lack of it) leading to numerous gun rampages and mass shootings, which he had to report on during his stint on this show. This sparked a flame within him and grew into a (well thought out) debate with those who held opposing views on gun control. In the book his arguments come across as logical and thought-provoking and help to persuade one of his point of view.
However, this point of view was not welcomed by a large number of Americans and I guess eventually led to him being dropped from US TV (although the book does not go that far in time).
On the whole, not as entertaining as his previous diaries, because of the increased US base.
This covers from 2010 to 2013 when he was making a name for himself (for the wrong reasons towards the end) on US TV as the host of the CNN chat show formerly fronted by Larry King.
It's a difficult one - Piers' audience in this book will be his (mainly) UK fans (I use the word loosely) who have followed his previous diaries of life in the UK media scene and will be used to his constant name-dropping etc. On the other hand, a lot of his interviewees (particularly towards the end covering the 2012 election) will be unknown to the average UK reader so of less interest.
What does come through in the books is his increasing disbelief at the US gun control (or lack of it) leading to numerous gun rampages and mass shootings, which he had to report on during his stint on this show. This sparked a flame within him and grew into a (well thought out) debate with those who held opposing views on gun control. In the book his arguments come across as logical and thought-provoking and help to persuade one of his point of view.
However, this point of view was not welcomed by a large number of Americans and I guess eventually led to him being dropped from US TV (although the book does not go that far in time).
On the whole, not as entertaining as his previous diaries, because of the increased US base.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews