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Truth Worth Telling: A Reporter's Search for Meaning in the Stories of Our Times
An inspiring memoir from the front lines of history by award-winning 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley.
Don’t ask the meaning of life. Life is asking, what’s the meaning of you?
With this provocative question, Truth Worth Telling introduces us to unforgettable people who discovered the meaning of their lives in the historic events of our times. A 60 Minutes correspondent and former anchor of the CBS Evening News, Scott Pelley writes as a witness to events that changed our world. In moving, detailed prose, he stands with firefighters at the collapsing World Trade Center on 9/11, advances with American troops in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, and reveals private moments with presidents (and would-be presidents) he’s known for decades. Truth Worth Telling offers a resounding defense of free speech and a free press as the rights that guarantee all others. For readers who believe values matter and truth is worth telling, Pelley writes, “I have written this book for you.”
Read by the author.
Don’t ask the meaning of life. Life is asking, what’s the meaning of you?
With this provocative question, Truth Worth Telling introduces us to unforgettable people who discovered the meaning of their lives in the historic events of our times. A 60 Minutes correspondent and former anchor of the CBS Evening News, Scott Pelley writes as a witness to events that changed our world. In moving, detailed prose, he stands with firefighters at the collapsing World Trade Center on 9/11, advances with American troops in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, and reveals private moments with presidents (and would-be presidents) he’s known for decades. Truth Worth Telling offers a resounding defense of free speech and a free press as the rights that guarantee all others. For readers who believe values matter and truth is worth telling, Pelley writes, “I have written this book for you.”
Read by the author.
17 pages, Audio CD
First published May 21, 2019
469 people are currently reading
2430 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
April 1, 2020
An audio version of Truth Worth Telling by Scott Pelley, read by the author, is journalism the way journalism should be. The book is so well written, with so much caring for his subjects, that I took a break halfway through, needing some time to absorb the intensity of Pelley’s writing. This is a book that should be read by all who care for the world we live in. The reporting is accurate, intensive and sympathetic. In these troubled time, journalism has been denigrated and treated as being unimportant. Great journalism is the telling of facts, without prejudice. A society without accurate journalism is a society without democracy. Scott Pelley is a prime example of someone who should be listened to because he has done his homework and cares about the subjects he covers. Reading this book leads to realizing that we are forgetting what journalism means in a free society. Highly recommended.
June 15, 2019
I liked this book just fine, I'm not over the moon about it, though. It was well-written and informative. It was a little over the top regarding CBS News and 60 Minutes being so heroic, yadda yadda yadda. Having started my work life in journalism, I've read many books about journalists and their work. I've always noticed how each one is adamant that Media is the equivalent of one of the branches of government. Years ago I had a conversation with a European woman who was living and working in Bermuda. The only television she could get was a North Carolina CBS affiliate. She marveled at how one-sided the stories were on 60 Minutes. I think journalists need some self-examination and less self-aggrandizement.
May 16, 2019
Don’t ask the meaning of life. Life is asking, what’s the meaning of you?
Journalist, Scott Pelley, is someone I have always respected. And counted on to give us the news and the story behind the news. The Truth.
Scott gives us true accounts of people changed forever by the events like The World Trade Center bombing, 9/11, fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq.
I found his telling of his own and others experiences on 9/11 to be difficult to read. The book is raw and unforgettable. Pelley has a writing style that is equal to his reporting style and that made this both a heartbreaking read and a profound one.
Free Speech and what it means for the people. Why it is the most important thing at all times and especially at this moment in history. A Free Press is part of the checks and balances that we must have in a democracy.
For readers who believe values matter and truth is worth telling, Pelley writes, “I have written this book for you.” Scott Pelley
NetGalley/ Harlequin Hanover May 21, 2019
Journalist, Scott Pelley, is someone I have always respected. And counted on to give us the news and the story behind the news. The Truth.
Scott gives us true accounts of people changed forever by the events like The World Trade Center bombing, 9/11, fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq.
I found his telling of his own and others experiences on 9/11 to be difficult to read. The book is raw and unforgettable. Pelley has a writing style that is equal to his reporting style and that made this both a heartbreaking read and a profound one.
Free Speech and what it means for the people. Why it is the most important thing at all times and especially at this moment in history. A Free Press is part of the checks and balances that we must have in a democracy.
For readers who believe values matter and truth is worth telling, Pelley writes, “I have written this book for you.” Scott Pelley
NetGalley/ Harlequin Hanover May 21, 2019
June 19, 2019
Full disclosure: I won a free ARC of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
The title is certainly accurate. These truths are indeed worth telling. Central to the book is the phrase, “Don't ask the meaning of life. Life is asking, what's the meaning of you?” It's a question that will linger in the mind long after this book is finished.
The stories are about some of the most powerful events and people of the last several decades, and about those moments wherein people found their meaning.
Pelley writes well and vividly. These stories pack an emotional punch. The chapters on 911 and Sandy Hook just about wrecked me. The last chapter gives some valuable advice about journalism as a career.
This was an excellent book, well worth reading. Recommended!
The title is certainly accurate. These truths are indeed worth telling. Central to the book is the phrase, “Don't ask the meaning of life. Life is asking, what's the meaning of you?” It's a question that will linger in the mind long after this book is finished.
The stories are about some of the most powerful events and people of the last several decades, and about those moments wherein people found their meaning.
Pelley writes well and vividly. These stories pack an emotional punch. The chapters on 911 and Sandy Hook just about wrecked me. The last chapter gives some valuable advice about journalism as a career.
This was an excellent book, well worth reading. Recommended!
September 11, 2019
Review of the audiobook narrated by the author.
People, not politics. That simple sentence sums up Scott Pelley and what he is about. Every story he tells focuses is how the individual(s) were personally affected and its impact on the American people. Not to mention, he constantly goes out of his way to give credit to his colleagues behind the scenes that made each story possible. You would think he was a no-talent floating head by how incredibly humble he is, but that is obviously not the case.
Truth Worth Telling reads like a series of extended 60 Minutes segments, which is a very good thing. Mr. Pelley takes us through the most important events which he has covered in the last 30 years and, with the benefit of hindsight, gives a thorough overview of each. He never avoids the difficult stories or moments, which he always approaches head-on with kindness and humility (the chapters on 9/11, Nadia Murad and Sandy Hook are especially heart-wrenching). Throughout the book his dry wit and self-depreciating humor bring many lighter moments to otherwise difficult stories. I can count the books that made me both laugh out loud and cry on one hand, and this is one of them.
This book (especially the audiobook) is a no-brainer for any fans of Mr. Pelley on 60 minutes or the CBS Evening News, which he anchored from 2011-2017. It really is a fantastic (although difficult at times) listen from start to finish. I'm not by any means patriotic, but Mr. Pelley makes me proud to be an American both by his love for his country and the fact that there are people like him in it who can make such a difference. Highly recommended.
Final verdict: 5 star story, 5 star narration, 5 stars overall
People, not politics. That simple sentence sums up Scott Pelley and what he is about. Every story he tells focuses is how the individual(s) were personally affected and its impact on the American people. Not to mention, he constantly goes out of his way to give credit to his colleagues behind the scenes that made each story possible. You would think he was a no-talent floating head by how incredibly humble he is, but that is obviously not the case.
Truth Worth Telling reads like a series of extended 60 Minutes segments, which is a very good thing. Mr. Pelley takes us through the most important events which he has covered in the last 30 years and, with the benefit of hindsight, gives a thorough overview of each. He never avoids the difficult stories or moments, which he always approaches head-on with kindness and humility (the chapters on 9/11, Nadia Murad and Sandy Hook are especially heart-wrenching). Throughout the book his dry wit and self-depreciating humor bring many lighter moments to otherwise difficult stories. I can count the books that made me both laugh out loud and cry on one hand, and this is one of them.
This book (especially the audiobook) is a no-brainer for any fans of Mr. Pelley on 60 minutes or the CBS Evening News, which he anchored from 2011-2017. It really is a fantastic (although difficult at times) listen from start to finish. I'm not by any means patriotic, but Mr. Pelley makes me proud to be an American both by his love for his country and the fact that there are people like him in it who can make such a difference. Highly recommended.
Final verdict: 5 star story, 5 star narration, 5 stars overall
May 27, 2019
I knew halfway through the first sentence of this book that it was going to be incredible, but honestly, it went far beyond that. This book was one of the hardest I think I’ve ever read—not because it’s a difficult read, but because it covers so much of the bad things that have happened over the last two decades in such intricate detail, before it turns around in the same chapter and offers insight as to how things can improve.
This book was powerful, insightful, and beautifully written. It was incredibly emotional—how can it not be, when the first chapter gets into what happened during 9/11 in terrifying detail. It also held a fantastic message about patriotism, journalism, and the truth and how they all work together.
Scott Pelley managed to offer a very balanced criticism at everything that has been going on, and beyond that, has offered hope that despite everything seemingly going to Hell in a hand basket, it will turn out okay in the end.
Also he did a fantastic job explaining a lot of the issues that have been going on over the last couple of decades that I was either too young to care about or too busy worrying about other things to know were happening, and it was immensely satisfying to learn about all of these things from such a reliable source.
This is not an easy read. It’s an incredibly engaging one, and definitely one that will make you think. It might also make you horrified and awed in equal parts. But is absolutely worth the read.
This book was powerful, insightful, and beautifully written. It was incredibly emotional—how can it not be, when the first chapter gets into what happened during 9/11 in terrifying detail. It also held a fantastic message about patriotism, journalism, and the truth and how they all work together.
Scott Pelley managed to offer a very balanced criticism at everything that has been going on, and beyond that, has offered hope that despite everything seemingly going to Hell in a hand basket, it will turn out okay in the end.
Also he did a fantastic job explaining a lot of the issues that have been going on over the last couple of decades that I was either too young to care about or too busy worrying about other things to know were happening, and it was immensely satisfying to learn about all of these things from such a reliable source.
This is not an easy read. It’s an incredibly engaging one, and definitely one that will make you think. It might also make you horrified and awed in equal parts. But is absolutely worth the read.
August 5, 2019
Scott Pelley's (S.P.) memoir. He served as CBS Evening
News anchor. And he continues as a "60 Minutes"
correspondent. I realize he was/ is a serious-minded
man of integrity.
I don't expect a non-fiction book to be all roses and
rainbows. But this book had war (mostly Afghanistan
& Iraq), war torture, terrorism (9/11 etc), & domestic
terrorism (Oklahoma City bombing, Sandy Hook). I
learned some Afghan villagers got $10. ea. time he/she
planted a IED for the insurgents. Tempting when 54%
of this country's residents made $1. or < per day. That
explained the US troops maimed and killed.
The Great Recession: I learned helpful details on that.
S.P. did not "pull any punches" when recounting
interviews with newsmakers especially US Presidents.
The CIA looked unprepared/ unethical when after 9/11
they carried out a "rendition" (kidnapping) of a German
citizen of Middle Eastern descent. They had the right
name but the wrong man. They kept him anyway for
5 months! They released him 1000 miles from home
with a bag of Euroes. He recounted his torture but a
US federal court dismissed his case.
Pelley described the dangerous life in a battle zone
and the special duct tape markings placed on a
vehicle's hood and widows identifying those within
as media. He also took on "fake news" & bot plants
in social media.
An interesting bk. IMO the violent acts seemed over-
whelming at times IE "boy play" rapes, shredded legs.
The horrid visuals stayed with me.
News anchor. And he continues as a "60 Minutes"
correspondent. I realize he was/ is a serious-minded
man of integrity.
I don't expect a non-fiction book to be all roses and
rainbows. But this book had war (mostly Afghanistan
& Iraq), war torture, terrorism (9/11 etc), & domestic
terrorism (Oklahoma City bombing, Sandy Hook). I
learned some Afghan villagers got $10. ea. time he/she
planted a IED for the insurgents. Tempting when 54%
of this country's residents made $1. or < per day. That
explained the US troops maimed and killed.
The Great Recession: I learned helpful details on that.
S.P. did not "pull any punches" when recounting
interviews with newsmakers especially US Presidents.
The CIA looked unprepared/ unethical when after 9/11
they carried out a "rendition" (kidnapping) of a German
citizen of Middle Eastern descent. They had the right
name but the wrong man. They kept him anyway for
5 months! They released him 1000 miles from home
with a bag of Euroes. He recounted his torture but a
US federal court dismissed his case.
Pelley described the dangerous life in a battle zone
and the special duct tape markings placed on a
vehicle's hood and widows identifying those within
as media. He also took on "fake news" & bot plants
in social media.
An interesting bk. IMO the violent acts seemed over-
whelming at times IE "boy play" rapes, shredded legs.
The horrid visuals stayed with me.
May 13, 2019
In case you weren’t aware of how much of their lives journalists put on the line when they cover stories, this book will be an eye opener. Scott Pelley takes us on his journey covering everything from rock stars to national tragedies to international war stories. He also shares his knowledge to aspiring writers and journalists. The takeaway from that is it’s better to be right than first on a breaking story. Very well written memoir by this award winning journalist.
March 19, 2019
Scott Pelley’s “Truth Worth Telling” is more than just a journalist’s peek inside a “day-in-the-life.” The reader literally, goes along for a wild and incredible ride through some of the biggest news events of our lives (if your in your 50s at least!) I was completely drawn in by Pelley’s poignant description of September 11, 2001 and the behind the scenes details most people never knew.
I really appreciate the straightforward writing style and organization of events by chapter - no aimless wandering around in this book. I highly recommend “Truth Worth Telling”, especially if you are a person who enjoys learning about what goes on behind the news. I did not really even follow Scott Pelley or his career before reading this book, but I definitely will now.
#NetGalley #TruthWorthTelling #ScottPelley
I really appreciate the straightforward writing style and organization of events by chapter - no aimless wandering around in this book. I highly recommend “Truth Worth Telling”, especially if you are a person who enjoys learning about what goes on behind the news. I did not really even follow Scott Pelley or his career before reading this book, but I definitely will now.
#NetGalley #TruthWorthTelling #ScottPelley
June 22, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I watched Scott Pelley when he was an anchor of the CBS evening news and I liked his reporting. His book provided interesting details about many of the stories he covered and prompted me to think differently about a number of issues. I love how he always gave credit to the many people with whom he worked and was so appreciative of their talent. I thought it was terrific that he commented on facts and didn't side with one political party. He enlightened me about the importance of the free press and the need to educate my daughters about evaluating what they read.
October 31, 2019
Excellent and informative. I learned a lot from reading this book, about war and peace. It was a great look at some of the best news reporting in the past almost 30 years. I’ve always been a fan of 60 Minutes and Scott Pelley is one of the reasons why. Fair and square!!
From a moving account of 9/11 to his opinion of Trumps “gold” apartment- which he compared to Saddam Hussein’s garish palace! A very timely look at Bill Clinton’s impeachment, as we start this process again with another president who is a sexual predator. What’s the matter with all these guys?
From a moving account of 9/11 to his opinion of Trumps “gold” apartment- which he compared to Saddam Hussein’s garish palace! A very timely look at Bill Clinton’s impeachment, as we start this process again with another president who is a sexual predator. What’s the matter with all these guys?
June 7, 2019
This was such an excellent book, which was also a hard read.
It will change my lens as I look to the future.
It will change my lens as I look to the future.
June 23, 2019
My gosh he is a hater of our military, our govt, and our people. First 3 chapters were awesome. The rest, not so much. I suffered through it.
August 9, 2020
In these times more than ever, books such as this focussing on the importance of journalistic integrity and clear, factual reporting. Pelley's memoir covers many of the biggest stories of these past several decades and an impressive career that has given him access to some of the most powerful and influential people involved in them. A compelling read.
physical_to-read_stack
April 30, 2019I received my copy free through Goodreads Giveaways
November 10, 2019
How many stars does your flag have? Asking a question like that and reminding us that Americans, despite their political beliefs all serve a common country and the path to democracy is based on compromise with compromise based on suggestions from many sides of an issue. The extreme polarization, the preference for self affirming "news" from the echo chamber of opinion is not only inaccurate, it is dangerous.
The central message here is the value of, and the need to protect our freedom of the press and our insistence on accuracy from those who do the reporting. Enough of the the "I believe it is true because I want it to be true!"
One of the rewards of this book is getting inside some of the history we have lived, be it the 9/11 attacks, the wars in the middle east, or the Federal Reserve trying to find a way through the worst financial crisis in more than 50 years.
Well done, Scott!
The central message here is the value of, and the need to protect our freedom of the press and our insistence on accuracy from those who do the reporting. Enough of the the "I believe it is true because I want it to be true!"
One of the rewards of this book is getting inside some of the history we have lived, be it the 9/11 attacks, the wars in the middle east, or the Federal Reserve trying to find a way through the worst financial crisis in more than 50 years.
Well done, Scott!
August 25, 2019
This is an eye opening narration of many of the author's experiences as a competent member of the fourth estate and both reminded and informed me of several contemporary issues that journalism exposed!
This native Texan mentioned his involvement with Marty Haag of local DFW broadcast fame with whom some in my family were acquainted along with other aspects of journalism in Texas but of course worldwide. I was angered to be reminded of the audacity of the Banking profession, the suppression of information by several governmental agencies and many other offenses that were eventually exposed by the free press!
He underscores the evils of the effect of social media and dis/misinformation that is so pervasive in this "information" age!
This native Texan mentioned his involvement with Marty Haag of local DFW broadcast fame with whom some in my family were acquainted along with other aspects of journalism in Texas but of course worldwide. I was angered to be reminded of the audacity of the Banking profession, the suppression of information by several governmental agencies and many other offenses that were eventually exposed by the free press!
He underscores the evils of the effect of social media and dis/misinformation that is so pervasive in this "information" age!
May 29, 2019
I highly recommend this book to anybody who has an interest in the history of the last 30 years, journalism, or who just likes a good story. It is a series of short stories about the stories Scott Pelley has covered throughout his career as a journalist as well as some of his own history. It was a gripping read that gave me the "feels" many times across the stories.
June 5, 2019
Can’t recommend enough
I’ve lived through the times Pelle writes about. But I only knew the surface. What he’s done here so well is to reveal what actually happened and in so doing deeply confirms my admiration for and appreciation of the need for a free press. I never realized what a hard, dangerous job it is. Thank you all!
I’ve lived through the times Pelle writes about. But I only knew the surface. What he’s done here so well is to reveal what actually happened and in so doing deeply confirms my admiration for and appreciation of the need for a free press. I never realized what a hard, dangerous job it is. Thank you all!
March 2, 2020
I was given a free copy of the book from #netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Scott Pelley is a great storyteller. However, he has to go political in this book. Stick to reporting the news, not telling us your opinion on the news. Ruined the whole thing for me. That's my truth worth telling. #TruthWorthTelling
January 13, 2020
Excellent
Everybody should read! America needs to wake up and pay attention to what we say and do! This book gives some very interesting history of events he covered.
Everybody should read! America needs to wake up and pay attention to what we say and do! This book gives some very interesting history of events he covered.
November 13, 2019
A solid book about journalism, a journalist and the most important events he covered in his career. He tackles a lot of topics and people he’s experienced in his job at CBS News and 60 Minutes. The most moving and heartbreaking are the events at the World Trade Center in 1993 and 2001. Troubling are his experiences with George HW Bush, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. What’s missing on purpose, is his lack of feeling and passion on the subjects. He feels a bout too much like 60 Minutes.
June 10, 2019
A Review of Truth Worth Telling: A Reporter’s Search for Meaning in the Stories of Our Times, by Scott Pelley. Audiobook, narrated by the author.
Scott Pelley, former anchor for the CBS evening news and part of the current 60 Minutes reporting team, has written a memoir of his storied career.
In Truth Worth Telling, Pelley gives us glimpses of his coverage of the White House, battle zones around the world, and the selection of Pope Francis; interviews with Nadia Murad who was kidnapped and raped by ISIS and would go on to win the Nobel Peace Prize for bravely telling her story, parents of slain Sandy Hook Elementary children, and Ben Bernanke in the midst of the Great Recession.
As a teen in Lubbock, TX, Pelley developed an interest in photography, and lied about his age to get hired as a copy boy, hoping to one day be promoted to photographer. An editor conspiring to keep reporters’ wages low snagged the teen and set him to work as a reporter, and into a 40-some-year career as a news journalist.
Pelley was able to make his way to Ground Zero on 9/11 before the second plane hit, and he gives a riveting account of his on-the-ground experience, the first-responder radio chatter, and who was where as the horrific events evolved. Eighteen years after that awful day, I thought I had seen and heard all the 9/11 stories from every perspective. But Pelley pulls it off; I was transfixed.
Pelley makes no secret of his disapproval of Bill Clinton’s extra-presidential activities involving Monica Lewinsky or what he calls Clinton’s hubris, but his comments regarding Donald Trump are vitriolic. This is the only section where the book is truly acerbic.
I’ve only been able to mention a few of the highlights covered in Pelley’s book. He’s a great storyteller, and this is well worth the read. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author, and I think Pelley's inflections add another layer of "being there". Don't miss this one.
Scott Pelley, former anchor for the CBS evening news and part of the current 60 Minutes reporting team, has written a memoir of his storied career.
In Truth Worth Telling, Pelley gives us glimpses of his coverage of the White House, battle zones around the world, and the selection of Pope Francis; interviews with Nadia Murad who was kidnapped and raped by ISIS and would go on to win the Nobel Peace Prize for bravely telling her story, parents of slain Sandy Hook Elementary children, and Ben Bernanke in the midst of the Great Recession.
As a teen in Lubbock, TX, Pelley developed an interest in photography, and lied about his age to get hired as a copy boy, hoping to one day be promoted to photographer. An editor conspiring to keep reporters’ wages low snagged the teen and set him to work as a reporter, and into a 40-some-year career as a news journalist.
Pelley was able to make his way to Ground Zero on 9/11 before the second plane hit, and he gives a riveting account of his on-the-ground experience, the first-responder radio chatter, and who was where as the horrific events evolved. Eighteen years after that awful day, I thought I had seen and heard all the 9/11 stories from every perspective. But Pelley pulls it off; I was transfixed.
Pelley makes no secret of his disapproval of Bill Clinton’s extra-presidential activities involving Monica Lewinsky or what he calls Clinton’s hubris, but his comments regarding Donald Trump are vitriolic. This is the only section where the book is truly acerbic.
I’ve only been able to mention a few of the highlights covered in Pelley’s book. He’s a great storyteller, and this is well worth the read. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author, and I think Pelley's inflections add another layer of "being there". Don't miss this one.
June 24, 2019
The Truth Worth Reading
Scott Pelley has written a book that ALL Americans should read! It is not only a very well written book regarding some of the more noteworthy news events of Mr Pelley's distinguished career as a professional journalist, but he also imparts literal examples of the basic human values and principles across our society of what it truly means to be a responsible functioning citizen of a free democracy. I believe, that Scott Pelley is a passionate American journalist who believes that without the true unfettered constitutional right to a free press, and the people's access to news events across the Globe, allows the people of the "United States" of America a "front row seat" to the course of events that may or may not threaten our precious freedoms . Scott is also reminding us (the reader), we must be ever vigilant to save guard our democratic right to freedom of speech and to use that "speech" judiciously...and above all, take the time to check the facts! If you differ in your OPINION, that's okay, that's the heart of WHAT FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS ALL ABOUT folks. We must be ever vigilant to save guard our RIGHT to an honest, informative, unbiased, FREE PRESS! Thank you, Scott Pelley, for also reminding us of the hard fought battles, lost and won, past and present, by those that have sacrificed themselves for the rights of others in the free world, to have access to current events, uncensored news, and, fearless, ethical, journalists with their crews, reporting on the front lines. Stay safe ALL you reporting the news out there, and a huge thank you for keeping "them" honest!
Scott Pelley has written a book that ALL Americans should read! It is not only a very well written book regarding some of the more noteworthy news events of Mr Pelley's distinguished career as a professional journalist, but he also imparts literal examples of the basic human values and principles across our society of what it truly means to be a responsible functioning citizen of a free democracy. I believe, that Scott Pelley is a passionate American journalist who believes that without the true unfettered constitutional right to a free press, and the people's access to news events across the Globe, allows the people of the "United States" of America a "front row seat" to the course of events that may or may not threaten our precious freedoms . Scott is also reminding us (the reader), we must be ever vigilant to save guard our democratic right to freedom of speech and to use that "speech" judiciously...and above all, take the time to check the facts! If you differ in your OPINION, that's okay, that's the heart of WHAT FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS ALL ABOUT folks. We must be ever vigilant to save guard our RIGHT to an honest, informative, unbiased, FREE PRESS! Thank you, Scott Pelley, for also reminding us of the hard fought battles, lost and won, past and present, by those that have sacrificed themselves for the rights of others in the free world, to have access to current events, uncensored news, and, fearless, ethical, journalists with their crews, reporting on the front lines. Stay safe ALL you reporting the news out there, and a huge thank you for keeping "them" honest!
June 1, 2019
As a journalist for CBS News and 60 Minutes for the last 30 years, Scott Pelley has had a front-row seat to some of the biggest news stories of our time. He's a good writer, and a good reporter, one with a conviction that the press must work for the people rather than for the government.
Frankly, this wasn't a book I was particularly interested in reading simply because I'm burned out on memoirs and politics -- Pelley was CBS's Chief White House Correspondent during the Clinton impeachment years, so I figured this book would be heavy on the politics -- but the sample chapter reeled me in. I'm glad I read it. I don't think the public fully appreciates how dangerous the job of a journalists can be or how much damn work it is to sift through all the manure thrown at them to get to the facts. Or how big their gonads have to be to do what they do (and I include the women in that assessment.) It takes guts and a commitment to something bigger than one's ego to risk life and limb in war zones or hostile countries where the press is considered an enemy of the ruling parties. We in the US need a wake-up call to the dangers of government intervention into a free press, and Pelley's book has plenty of examples of what happens in places like China, the Middle East, and even when trying to report on the US military. This book reads like a thriller except that truth really is often stranger than fiction.
Frankly, this wasn't a book I was particularly interested in reading simply because I'm burned out on memoirs and politics -- Pelley was CBS's Chief White House Correspondent during the Clinton impeachment years, so I figured this book would be heavy on the politics -- but the sample chapter reeled me in. I'm glad I read it. I don't think the public fully appreciates how dangerous the job of a journalists can be or how much damn work it is to sift through all the manure thrown at them to get to the facts. Or how big their gonads have to be to do what they do (and I include the women in that assessment.) It takes guts and a commitment to something bigger than one's ego to risk life and limb in war zones or hostile countries where the press is considered an enemy of the ruling parties. We in the US need a wake-up call to the dangers of government intervention into a free press, and Pelley's book has plenty of examples of what happens in places like China, the Middle East, and even when trying to report on the US military. This book reads like a thriller except that truth really is often stranger than fiction.
June 28, 2019
This book is a keeper. Maybe you will go back to read again Bruce Springsteen's comments about music, or the day when Hillary barely missed being hit on the head by an overhead studio light, or maybe you think like I did, that I knew as much about 9/11 as I wanted to know- now I see it differently after reading Scott Pelley's chapter titled Gallantry. Step by step he makes order of absolute disorder. What looked to be total chaos as I watched on TV was, amazingly, supervised with the oversight of a military event, by Chiefs and Heads and Sergeants who had eyes in the back of their heads and while his heart was breaking Pelley took notes. Like many journalists, at times he was not an observer but praying to be a survivor, caught in gunfire in a not-so-safe spot on an earth where life had little value. Every School of Journalism should make the last chapter: 'To A Young Journalist" required reading. It wouldn't hurt to have every high school student read it. Pelley heads each of the 18 chapters with a virtue, a flaw, a philosophy, that links how the event brought out the character in his story. Along the way, his affection for the right word, his wit, love for his country build the character of a reporter on a search for meaning. Thanks to GoodReads for a very Good Read.
February 20, 2020
This is a very compelling narrative of many of the stories Pelley covered as a journalist. To me, the mark of a great story inspires you to read further, search deeper and come to terms with your beliefs. I found A Truth Worth Telling is such a story. He didn’t just report, he told us a great story.
May 19, 2019
I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review
"Only a free and unrestrained press cab effectively expose deception in government"
Throughout this book, veteran CBS news correspondent and editor, Scott Pelley recounts how he investigated various critical events from American history, from the Oklahoma bombing to Iraq to Sandy Hook and the 2016 election. Pelley lays out the facts and then recounts how he reacted to them and how his reporting impacted the perceptions of the American populace.
This book should be required reading for all millennials because it provides history and context to the events of the Iraq war and the 2016 election which still impact us today. I have learned more from this book than I have throughout my education and I hope to share some of these chapters with my secondary students for point of view and nonfiction units.
Mr. Pelley's chapters on the creation of the Iraq war and the September 11th attacks were especially prescient and harrowing. Thank you, Mr. Pelley for sharing your stories and revealing the truth worth telling about our nation's past, present, and future.
"Only a free and unrestrained press cab effectively expose deception in government"
Throughout this book, veteran CBS news correspondent and editor, Scott Pelley recounts how he investigated various critical events from American history, from the Oklahoma bombing to Iraq to Sandy Hook and the 2016 election. Pelley lays out the facts and then recounts how he reacted to them and how his reporting impacted the perceptions of the American populace.
This book should be required reading for all millennials because it provides history and context to the events of the Iraq war and the 2016 election which still impact us today. I have learned more from this book than I have throughout my education and I hope to share some of these chapters with my secondary students for point of view and nonfiction units.
Mr. Pelley's chapters on the creation of the Iraq war and the September 11th attacks were especially prescient and harrowing. Thank you, Mr. Pelley for sharing your stories and revealing the truth worth telling about our nation's past, present, and future.
June 1, 2019
Audiobook. Rises to the top of my favorite book so far of 2019. Recounting personal and vivid experiences in world events while making clear the importance of a free press in today's post truth era. Love that the author narrated it. Listened while doing field work.
"The United States almost alone today, offers the liberty and privileges and the tools of freedom. In this land the citizens are still invited to write their plays and books, to paint their pictures, to meet for discussion, to dissent as well as to agree, ..
and to read real news of real events instead of phony news manufactured by a paid agent of the state. This is a fact and should give every person pause."
- E.B. White, 1940
And in keeping with today's tribalism, us vs them, no longer do you have a bad idea but now you're a bad person politics, echo chamber social media, people seeking confirmation of what they already believe not what is there to be learned -
"It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence."
- William Clifford, 1877.
"The United States almost alone today, offers the liberty and privileges and the tools of freedom. In this land the citizens are still invited to write their plays and books, to paint their pictures, to meet for discussion, to dissent as well as to agree, ..
and to read real news of real events instead of phony news manufactured by a paid agent of the state. This is a fact and should give every person pause."
- E.B. White, 1940
And in keeping with today's tribalism, us vs them, no longer do you have a bad idea but now you're a bad person politics, echo chamber social media, people seeking confirmation of what they already believe not what is there to be learned -
"It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence."
- William Clifford, 1877.
September 24, 2019
DNF at page 259. I was enjoying this book SO much. The opening chapter on 9/11 made me cry. The chapter about the 2008 financial crises actually made me UNDERSTAND the financial crises. The war reporting sections were incredible. The writing is beautiful; Scott Pelley knows his way around a metaphor, and his imagery is fantastic.
But then. The chapter on the 2016 election. After 250 pages of highlighting the importance of HONESTY and TRUTH-TELLING and the IMPORTANCE OF PRESENTING FACTS TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. Scott Pelley decides that it's totally irrelevant to the narrative of the 2016 election that Hillary Clinton's emails received many times more coverage than her policy ON CBS. The rank, self-serving hypocrisy of pretending that media coverage had nothing to do with how the American public perceived Clinton versus Trump has immediately cost all of Pelley's credibility. He demands honesty from everyone else, but refuses to submit to it himself. I can't think of a worse trait for a reporter.
But then. The chapter on the 2016 election. After 250 pages of highlighting the importance of HONESTY and TRUTH-TELLING and the IMPORTANCE OF PRESENTING FACTS TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. Scott Pelley decides that it's totally irrelevant to the narrative of the 2016 election that Hillary Clinton's emails received many times more coverage than her policy ON CBS. The rank, self-serving hypocrisy of pretending that media coverage had nothing to do with how the American public perceived Clinton versus Trump has immediately cost all of Pelley's credibility. He demands honesty from everyone else, but refuses to submit to it himself. I can't think of a worse trait for a reporter.
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