Spin This!: All the Ways We Don't Tell the Truth

by Bill Press, Bill Maher (Foreword)

Spin -- intentional manipulation of the truth -- is everywhere. It's in the White House, in the courtrooms, in headlines and advertising slogans. Even couples on dates -- not to mention book blurbs -- are guilty of spin. Here, colorful news analyst Bill Press freeze-frames the culture of spin to investigate what exactly spin is, who does it and why, and its impact on American society. Using examples drawn from recent history -- the Clinton presidency, the Florida recount, and the Bush White House -- Press first probes spin's favorite politics. He then surveys incarnations of spin in journalism, law, and advertising, and chews on the spin of sex and "dating," a word that has become the very embodiment of spin. Perhaps surprisingly, however, Press argues that spin isn't all bad, and that without it the harsh truths of our times might be unbearable.
With a keen sense of humor, Spin This! turns the tables on the prime purveyors of spin by highlighting some of their biggest blunders. Looking to the future, Press notes that the twenty-first century, beginning as it has with a president who was "spun into office," will be a fertile stomping ground for spin. Don't say you weren't warned.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

245 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2001

About the author

Bill Press began his career as a political insider and media commentator on KABC-TV and KCOP-TV, both in Los Angeles. Over the years, he has received numerous awards for his work, including four Emmys and a Golden Mike Award.

The former co-host of MSNBC's Buchanan and Press, CNN's Crossfire and The Spin Room, Press has built a national reputation on thought-provoking and humorous insights from the left side of the political aisle.

Press is the author of six books: Spin This! (Atria, 2002), Bush Must Go! (Dutton Books, 2004), How The Republicans Stole Christmas (Doubleday, 2005), Trainwreck (Wiley, 2008), Toxic Talk (Thomas Dunne Books, 2010), and his latest, The Obama Hate Machine (Thomas Dunne Books, 2012).

The host of radio’s nationally syndicated Bill Press Show (Monday-Friday from 6-9am ET), Press attends the daily White House press briefing and writes a syndicated newspaper column, distributed weekly by Tribune Media Services.

Press resides in the nation’s capital with his wife Carol.

Reviews

[Will Byrnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Press gives us a roadmap to what is out there spin-wise, and even argues that not all spin is bad. But most is intended to misinform. It is highly illuminating.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't look past all the 4 letter words in this "Politics" book. I expect and appreciate cursing when it is appropriate (Serge Storms in Dorsey's books) but not from a CNN news anchor trying to get his viewpoints across. All the other pundits and media hosts can write convincing arguments without trying to write all the words they can't say in the FCC ruled airwaves, why can't he? The funny thing is, I really like listening to his radio show.

[Kevin Malek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an interesting from a media perspective. As a student of mass communications, particularly advertising, the messages we receive from all media outlets is purposefully structured in a way where even the most novice of recipients will derive one meaning. The news media is no different and Bill Press gives an insider perspective from the former host of MSNBC Crossfire.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Press gives a history of "spin" in all its forms. By far the worst is George W Bush. Whenever I have hope in the future, I am confronted with the fact that millions of people voted for him. Twice! With that kind of ignorance, it's hopeless.