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With Every Mistake
This essential collection contains the best of Gwynne Dyer’s writing on the post–September 11 world.
Since 1973, writer, historian and filmmaker Gwynne Dyer has written a widely syndicated newspaper column on international affairs, regularly published in 45 countries. With Every Mistake is not only a collection of the very best of Dyer’s recent work, but an examination of how, time and again, the media skews fact and opinion, wielding formidable influence on how we all shape our own thoughts. And why is so much of the information wrong? Is it herd instinct, official manipulation, robber-baron owners with ideological obsessions—or just the conflict between the inherently bitty, short-term nature of news reporting and analysis and the longer perspectives needed to understand what is actually going on? How much misinformation stems from simple ignorance and laziness?
Since 1973, writer, historian and filmmaker Gwynne Dyer has written a widely syndicated newspaper column on international affairs, regularly published in 45 countries. With Every Mistake is not only a collection of the very best of Dyer’s recent work, but an examination of how, time and again, the media skews fact and opinion, wielding formidable influence on how we all shape our own thoughts. And why is so much of the information wrong? Is it herd instinct, official manipulation, robber-baron owners with ideological obsessions—or just the conflict between the inherently bitty, short-term nature of news reporting and analysis and the longer perspectives needed to understand what is actually going on? How much misinformation stems from simple ignorance and laziness?
432 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2005
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About the author
Gwynne Dyer
34 books111 followersGwynne Dyer, OC is a London-based independent Canadian journalist, syndicated columnist and military historian.
Dyer was born in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador (then the Dominion of Newfoundland) and joined the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve at the age of sixteen. While still in the naval reserve, he obtained a BA in history from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1963; an MA in military history from Rice University in Houston, Texas, in 1966; and a PhD in military and Middle Eastern history at King's College London in 1973. Dyer served in the Canadian, American and British naval reserves. He was employed as a senior lecturer in war studies at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, 1973–77. In 1973 he began writing articles for leading London newspapers on the Arab-Israeli conflict, and soon decided to abandon academic life for a full-time career in journalism. In 2010, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Dyer was born in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador (then the Dominion of Newfoundland) and joined the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve at the age of sixteen. While still in the naval reserve, he obtained a BA in history from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1963; an MA in military history from Rice University in Houston, Texas, in 1966; and a PhD in military and Middle Eastern history at King's College London in 1973. Dyer served in the Canadian, American and British naval reserves. He was employed as a senior lecturer in war studies at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, 1973–77. In 1973 he began writing articles for leading London newspapers on the Arab-Israeli conflict, and soon decided to abandon academic life for a full-time career in journalism. In 2010, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 20, 2011
This one of the most interesting history books I have read in a long time. Not only an exploration of the post 911 world and how it has evolved in sometimes tragic and unforeseen ways, but a look into the results of the so often forgotten expert predictions.
Gwynne Dyer does something here that I find not only interesting, but courageous. He lays bare his own columns and essays, including those he got wrong. In this process, we get in enlightening insight into the progression of the post 911 world.
Easily one of my favorite history books in years by one of my all time favorite historians / columnist.
Gwynne Dyer does something here that I find not only interesting, but courageous. He lays bare his own columns and essays, including those he got wrong. In this process, we get in enlightening insight into the progression of the post 911 world.
Easily one of my favorite history books in years by one of my all time favorite historians / columnist.
November 2, 2015
Written in 2005, Dyer takes a critical look back at a selection of his columns written during the preceding 5 years. He includes both columns where he got it right and where he got it wrong. In both cases, his columns and his comments provide a great insight into what was happening internationally during those years and how the world viewed those events. While this book is 10 years old, the insights it provides are current and significant for understanding our present day world.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews