Unfreedom of the Press

by Mark R. Levin

From five-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, FOX News star, and radio host Mark R. Levin comes a groundbreaking and enlightening book that shows how the great tradition of the American free press has degenerated into a standardless profession that has squandered the faith and trust of the American public, not through actions of government officials, but through its own abandonment of reportorial integrity and objective journalism.

Unfreedom of the Press is not just another book about the press. Levin shows how those entrusted with news reporting today are destroying freedom of the press from within: “not government oppression or suppression,” he writes, but self-censorship, group-think, bias by omission, and passing off opinion, propaganda, pseudo-events, and outright lies as news.

With the depth of historical background for which his books are renowned, Levin takes the reader on a journey through the early American patriot press, which proudly promoted the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, followed by the early decades of the Republic during which newspapers around the young country were open and transparent about their fierce allegiance to one political party or the other.

It was only at the start of the Progressive Era and the twentieth century that the supposed “objectivity of the press” first surfaced, leaving us where we are today: with a partisan party-press overwhelmingly aligned with a political ideology but hypocritically engaged in a massive untruth as to its real nature.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Political Science, Audiobook, American History, Journalism

258 pages, Hardcover

First published May 21, 2019

About the author

Mark Levin has become one of the hottest properties in Talk radio, his top-rated show on WABC New York is now syndicated nationally by Cumulus Media. He is also one of the top new authors in the conservative political arena. Mark's radio show on WABC in New York City skyrocketed to Number 1 on the AM dial in his first 18 months on the air in the competitive 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM time slot. Mark's book Men in Black was released February 7, 2005 and quickly climbed to Number 3 in the nation on the New York Times Best-Seller list. When your book is endorsed by Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, you know you have a winner on your hands. In a short period of time, Mark has become one of the most listened to local radio Talk show hosts in the nation.

Mark Levin took over the WABC 6:00 PM slot on September 2, 2003. Before that, he hosted a popular Sunday afternoon program. "He's smart, witty, and fast on the draw," according to WABC Program Director Phil Boyce. "He has this sharp sarcastic wit that can easily stun his opponents. I know I would not want to debate him." Mark's show follows the ever popular Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity on WABC, but everyday he manages to come up with a new twist on the day's top news events, as well as his own unique information. His passion and intellect have made him a favorite of tens of thousands of radio listeners in the New York City area.

Mark has been a frequent guest and substitute host on The Sean Hannity Show, and has also been an advisor to Limbaugh, who frequently refers to him on the air with the nickname "F. Lee Levin." He is perhaps more well-known for his nickname, "The Great One," coined by his friend Hannity.

Mark Levin is one of America's preeminent conservative commentators and constitutional lawyers. He's in great demand as a political and legal commentator, and has appeared on hundreds of television and radio programs. Levin is also a contributing editor for National Review Online, and writes frequently for other publications. Levin has served as a top advisor to several members of President Ronald Reagan's Cabinet - including as Chief of Staff to the Attorney General of the United States. In 2001, the American Conservative Union named Levin the recipient of the prestigious Ronald Reagan Award. He currently practices law in the private sector, heading up the prestigious Landmark Legal Foundation in Washington DC.

Source: http://marklevinshow.com/article.asp?...

Reviews

[Petra X]

I'm interested in this because of self-censorship. There are issues where there is only one view allowed, transgender people, certain religions that cannot be criticised, people we must love/hate, wars we must/must not support and any journalist who dares write against this view is quite likely to be cancelled. Fired. Out of a job. And the media boycotted by advertising companies and big brands who really couldn't give a shit, because to them it's all about money. I don't agree with this kind of censorship.

It's like book reviews I write that some people really really don't agree with. I have no problem with that, it's interesting to read a different viewpoint, it might give me things to think on. Or it might not. I don't have to agree with it. But then there are the trolls who tell me Goodreads wasn't meant for people like me and worse crap. It's like those people, those trolls, now form a huge and powerful activist group who people dare not go against or else... maybe they wouldn't even get hired by anyone again.

I don't really care so much about the non-partisan political attitudes because each side always has it's own media outlets. It's the issues that get me.

I wish the book was British. I'd like to read about the really biased BBC being exposed as the totally non-objective, report-suppressing news outlet it is. It's status as the world's biggest and most trusted news media, means it has too much influence that is never questioned. Or only if a lot of people happen to disagree with it. And a report is commissioned. And then they spend nearly $500.000 of tax=payers money getting it suppressed.

[Amora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Levin’s best book yet. Full of data and rich with history, Levin exposes the media for being so brazenly partisan and complicit in covering up scandals that get in the way of their agenda or politicians they like. Scandals like Roosevelt and his successors using the IRS as a weapon against political opponents or LBJ secretly wiretapping phone conversations of others went underreported by the media. Levin also calls out the media (specifically the Washington Post and New York Times) for being complicit in covering up the horrors of the holocaust. It’s sad to say not much has changed with the media.

[Robert Lewter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great piece of work. It shows the pitiful state of the information sources that are available to the people of the United States today. It shows the bias and treachery of the nations media. It also tells of a great deal of their complicity in government abuses of the citizenry in past administrations from the start of the country. It also shows examples of what it's really like when the government restricts the freedom of the press.
As always Mr. Levin shows all his sources and the book is heavily footnoted. He actually shows the real facts.
Mr. Levin is one of the most admirable men I have ever listened to or whose books I have read.

[Von Green · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yikes. That’s my summary review. Levin seems to think that right-wing news outlets are free from any bias or corruption. He wants to paint anything demonstrating Trump’s obvious incompetence as “fake news” and “bias,” while ignoring how international media, with no reason for bias, demonstrates the same things. Also, he is a former Fox News member, but I guess he’s convinced that right-wing news is nothing but cold, hard facts. The comparison between left-wings coverage of a Broadway musical and Presidential investigation proves that he can’t create an apt comparison or analysis. He uses opinions as evidence, while providing nothing but easy digestible dribble for folks wanting to believe Trump has done nothing wrong (even though he has made untrue or misleading statements on record more than 10,000 times) If you want an echo-chamber crying “fAkE nEwS” then this book is for you.

[Bobbie Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening

I have been around now for 7 decades. Much of my adult life has been spent in around media and politics in one way or another. Mark has verified much of what I have experienced but seldom hear about in both media and politics. Great book!

[Gator · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second Levin book that I’ve read and I will gladly read them all, Mark truly is the great one. This book contains a great amount of history that shows past presidents and other important historical characters abusing their office and their powers and receiving no attention for their crimes against the American people & the constitution. It’s rather amazing to see that as far back as the second president John Adams America has had to deal with the improper use of the press but never to the extent of the Trump era, the Trump era trumps all other time periods for mischaracterization, untruthfulness & poor journalism.


Therefore, as I said at the opening, this book is intended to, among other things, “jump-start a long overdue and hopefully productive dialogue among the American citizenry on how best to deal with the complicated and complex issues of the media’s collapsing role as a bulwark of liberty, the civil society, and Republicanism.”

[Silvanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly researched and hence factually inaccurate. Waste of money.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark R. Levin is a well-known conservative talk show host, author, and former top adviser to senior cabinet members under President Ronald Reagan. He is also a talented lawyer and legal scholar. In this book, Unfreedom of the Press, he brings his experience and knowledge to bear on the issue of media bias and the claimed liberal bias of the press and journalists in America today. He looks back over our history including colonial days as well as Europe from where much of our journalistic culture was derived. We quickly learn that throughout our existence there have been vicious attacks in the media on our political leaders including George Washington, although nothing like later attacks against various candidates. But what the author really focuses on is the big question of why today's press overwhelmingly leans left and supports liberal to far left political candidates and leaders. Does it start in our schools (teachers at almost every level K through College consider themselves liberal) or is there something else at work behind the scenes? How has it evolved from teaching the basics (the 3 R's - Reading wRiting and aRithmetic...go figure) to trying to reinvent how to do math (aka Common Core) and focusing on many non-academic courses about self esteem, race, gender, etc? Where are we headed as a nation if this continues? The author explores all of these questions and much more. So take off your bias hat and put on your thinking cap; it's going to be a bumpy ride!

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Have All the Journalists Gone?

Journalism as we thought we knew it is pretty much dead. Put a fork in it. Mark Levin argues that, with few exceptions such as Lara Logan, many journalists today don't even try to be objective. They are playing as partisans and pushing a point of view. In the past, journalists at least pretended to be nonpartisan. However, one of the more interesting things Levin points out is how far from real journalists many of our major newspapers historically were. For instance, the esteemed New York Times knew all about Hitler's final solution and buried the story for years when the voice of that paper could have marshaled public opinion and saved millions. Ditto for Stalin's purges in the Twenties and the millions who starved with nary a peep from the Times. A fascinating study.

[Kon R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unbiased look at the U.S. media in not only the fake news Trump era, but also as far back as President Jefferson. It was a quick read brimming with information that I think everyone should read to fully understand what's going on behind closed doors in America.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not an opinion book, it is a history book. It's dry and like reading a history book. Facts and jumps to more facts. Time, place, event- outcomes, laws, elections etc. From John Q. Adams onward- this relates all the times politico America has assaulted/ law forced/ conflated to forbid opposition by acts of law etc. the press or printed reaction. Before tv or radio it was mostly print forbids. But after that it was all methods. And not just by the Presidents of their eras either- other branches and individuals did it too.

Levin is basically a History Prof. with incisive law memory of record. To say that Trump is the only acting President to criticize the press is a complete lie often repeated and recorded presently. He's actually a wienie in that category. Other Presidents did far, far worse. J.Q. Adams (Sedition Acts), Lincoln (not at all a free speech lover whatsoever), Wilson (worst of all case before and during WWI), FDR (maximum times and into all levels of law/ treason charges/ jailing using Justice Dept. as enforcers). Other (many) presidents before and after these, as well. Clamped the press if not altogether law binding them- apart from the propaganda they fully distributed themselves, at the same time.

It's dry, dry reading. And he knows so much that it becomes a slog. It's much better to listen to him speak then read him, IMHO. Just too much background material exposed gets monotonous.

Our Freedom of Speech, 1st Amendment- it has been understood for methods of "opposition" by Presidents in the past SO VERY differently when it comes to the "pros" of journalism being opposed. 4th Estate indeed! It was a mole hill they just climbed right over. The populous never understood how much then. And yet it is reminded of this option for executive power hardly at all in the present. Now it is a "never". Then (many "thens") - it occurred often. Now he just names them "fake news". In the past, far more than name calls occurred.

[Lizzylu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not his opinion. He takes the time to lay out all the facts and quotes and you see for yourself the common denominator. This is the most necessary book right now in history so you can make your own conclusions and think for yourself.

[patty plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

My thanks to Mark Levin for his depiction of a media we have had to deal with today. My hope is that "journalists" will read the book and learn something.

[Mike Glaser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched book with a damning indictment of the mainstream press and the fallacy of their impartiality through the years. It doesn’t mean that everything that you read is suspect but that you should always be questioning of everything that you read.

[Arturs · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, not even sure what I expected but this was poor. Funny thing is that I agree with the overall premise of biased media but the actual book is incredibly underwhelming and misses the point at so many levels.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent read. It is the first book by Levin that I have ever read. I hear him often on the radio and thoroughly enjoy his radio talk show. The man is brilliant when it comes to constitutional law. I appreciate Levin because he is willing to call a spade a spade. He is willing to say that he disagrees with President Trump and willing to say if agrees with a liberal. You know very clearly where Levin stands on issues. And in, "Unfreedom of the Press," Levin does a wonderful job of exposing the fact that the press today, as a whole, isn't not so much interested in investigative reporting, but more so, they are interested in promoting an ideology that is set on undermining the constitution of the United States. The press has become basically a propaganda machine, thus, when Trump says, "Fake news," he is, for all intents and purposes, not wrong. Levin does a masterful job in this book and demonstrates how the Press is truly at war with freedom and is "shooting itself in the foot," so to speak. This is one of those books that I think every American would do well to read.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

In their own words... (3.5 stars)

I listened to UNFREEDOM OF THE PRESS while doing yard work. It is interesting to listen to it in 2024 (it was written in 2019) and see how much further the American press has gone to prove that it is even more dishonest than it was even 5 short years ago.

There is a lot of quoting from primary sources in this text. One of the most effective things that Mr. Levin does is when he uses the press's very own words against them. He will make a point about a bias that they have, or a story they lied about, and then he will spend literally pages just quoting from across the media spectrum from individuals or outlets doing the very thing that they claim not to do. It's a pretty powerful device. However, he does employ it a lot in this text. There are literally pages and pages and pages of him doing nothing more than quoting the media doing something that they say they don't do. I have mixed feelings about how interesting that is as a reader, but it's very powerful in terms of proving a point.

Mr. Levin is a bright man. That's obvious. He also has a rabid disgust for the politicization of the modern American media. It's not that (as he takes great pains to point out in his book) he has a problem with media bias. He has a problem when the media pretends that their bias doesn't exist.

There's a lot of this text that is actually a history lesson. Lots of attention is given to the 1917 Espionage Act and to the Alien & Sedition Act that John Adams signed into law in the early days of our nation. There is also a lot of attention given to the idea of a very partisan press. The press was partisan, and owned it up until the late 1920s, and then the façade of impartiality began to rear its head.

Another point that's interesting is Mr. Levin's takedown of the New York Times. I have nothing but contempt for the New York Times and have felt that most of my adult life. But Mr. Levin's piece by piece examination of their ignoring of the Holocaust, and at times, even covering it up from the American readers is disgusting to read. He also goes after Walter Duranty, a reporter who won a Pulitzer Prize for the New York Times, who flat out lied about Stalin's genocide and the Ukrainian famine of the 1930s. It's disturbing that the “paper of record” has never really been a paper of honesty.

All in all, UNFREEDOM OF THE PRESS is an interesting and quick read. It's certainly only reconfirmed for me that my disdain and distaste for the media, and my lack of trust in almost all of it, is well placed.

[Auston Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book for those who trust and believe everything the media says, or anyone curious on how bad the media really is. I didn’t want this book to end because I knew how much time and effort Levin put into researching the corrupt media we have today!!!! So here I write some of what he has developed.
It starts in the present talking about CNN and MSNBC the Washington Post etc, talking about impeaching President Trump. (Page 70 talks about the Media Research Center annualized one eighteen hour period on August 22, 2018 6:00 a.m. - 11.59 p.m. analyzing CNN and MSNCB television counting every time reporters, anchors and paid contributors said the word ‘impeach,’ ‘impeachment’ or some form of and found a total of 108 times on CNN and 114 times on MSNBC. With the link provided in the notes for proof.)
Get this book you will not be disappointed, everyone in America needs to read this!!!! I will be lending my copy to anyone who wants to read it so Mr. Levin, I will be getting people to read this outstanding book. I’ve already seen a NPR (the fake news) article talking very negatively about this book because of the truth it has in it.
So now I end my review here so I can delve into some more books and not spend too much time talking about them. May God love you.

[Siv30 · Rating 3 out of 5]

לסקירה מפורטת בעברית, קישור לבלוג שלי -

https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/סוכנ...

[L.A. Starks · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Mark Levin, you will like this historical book about journalism.

Without discussing the conservative politics (readers will either like or choose not to read the book), the current events portion of this book is somewhat repetitive. What is useful is the contextual history of newspapers & publishers during the American Revolution and later--until approximately WWII-- when papers were transparent about their editorial stances, as seen by their names, e.g. The Arkansas Democrat.

Levin calls out media decisions not to cover the Holocaust and other genocides.

[Timothy · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, if the liberals/Democrats are "progressive", does that mean the other side are "regressive"? Basically a compilation of cherry-picked to support the author's contention that the modern mainstream press is bad and shouldn't be trusted - especially when reporting on Ubu President. My favorite part is when Levin actually uses references from media sources he excoriates through much of the book (such as CNN) to support his contentions.

[Sef · Rating 1 out of 5]

The entire premise of this book - the lies, propaganda and biases which purportedly forms the basis of an echo chamber for and by the Democratic Party Press, is exactly what the author is doing, except he's writing on behalf of the Republican Party Press.

I live halfway around the world from the US. I don't follow US politics closely but understand that I need to know enough because US politics has global consequences. I bought this book thinking it was more about the recent trends in global politics with respect to how "Big Media" has had a hand in shaping the world we live in today. How wrong I was.

Upon sharing with a friend that I'm reading this book and who the author is, he said and I quote: "Mark Levin? He's a crazy right winger lol. He was saying how Marie Kondo's home cleaning methods were dangerous because she exports Shintoism into the US. I notice Levin's books get super high reviews on Amazon. And of course they sell well. He's hardly the only one of his ilk in the US." Ahh ... my bad. My oversight. I should've done my homework. Lesson learnt.

Nevertheless, I'd like to think of myself as quite open-minded so let's finish this book that I paid good money for and let's see if he has anything important to say.

I don't doubt some of the things Mr. Levin writes are true about the Democratic Party and I would be naive to think otherwise. But the way in which he goes on and on, talking about all the bad things about what the Democrats have done and using these reasons to justify that because the Democrats have done these terrible things, it is okay for Trump and the Republicans do this and that ... it's just mind-boggling. Towards the end of the book, Levin dedicates a chapter to "Character". And the primary argument he uses to defend Trump? By citing all of extramarital affairs and sexual misconducts of all the past presidents, as if to argue the same thing: "Hey those guys over there that you think so highly of, like JFK? Well, he shagged this spy and courted this mob boss' gal. So when Trump grabs girls by the pussy ... that's okay!". Seriously, whatever happened to "Let's ALL try to do better"? Rather than going backwards, why not go forward? Rather than say, "He killed someone, so its okay for me to kill too.", why not say "He made a positive impact to society. He made this world a better place and we should follow too."

Today, after finishing this sad excuse of a book, not only am I not convinced of anything the author wrote but it probably pushed me a little bit more to the left. (Although, I know full well I'm not the intended audience). All these things people say about Fox, Breitbart, etc. is true. This is a textbook example. Jesus Christ.

You, Mr. Levin, are a mediocre author, likely an incompetent lawyer and terrible human being. The world needs less of people like yourself.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A current and historical analysis of journalism in America. A profession that has difficulty separating news from opinions.

[Robert Melnyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levin does a great job in describing the press in the United States and how it is actually undermining the concept of freedom of the press due to the fact that it is no longer an objective source of news, but has become a source of political activism for the Democrat Party. I have said for a LONG time that the press is incredibly biased, and has, in recent years, actually gotten so bad as to be not just biased, but corrupt. Reading this book has gone a long way to confirm my opinion. I agree with President Trump when he calls the mainstream media (the "fake news") the enemy of the people. They are. But you have to understand what is meant by that. It is not the the CONCEPT of a free press that he is calling the enemy of the people. It is the fact that they present themselves as reporting news, while they are in fact running a propaganda organization for the Democrat Party that makes them the enemy of the people, because they are being dishonest with the people. It is fine for any news outlet to express their political opinions on the editorial page, but when the editorial page becomes the front page, that is dangerous. And that is what the mainstream media is now doing in this country.

[Thomas Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very valuable read. I am hopeful that this book will greatly help the American people learn just how far our nat'l. press has been failing the American people and in fact has been helping the Progressive Liberal agenda to transform America into a cesspool of other similar 'Third World Countries.' Nothing will change this swirling into "the black hole" of The America's demise, unless We the people, again champion and demand a Truly Free Press. MSNBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, New York Times, Washington Post and so many others will never change their ways on their own. They do not represent the America as envisioned by the Patriot Leaders that founded this once great Country. I hope this book will have a positive effect on the People that love America as she once aspired to.

[Joseph Serwach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent primer on the history and present state of the free press in America

As a veteran journalist (including many years covering politics and business for dailies) who earned his degree in journalism, I can attest Mark’s book is well-done and accurate. Truth should be the top goal of journalism and it typically is. Mark shows which presidents sought to limit freedom of the press and which journalists lost their way.

[Ailith Twinning · Rating 1 out of 5]

Levin, you suck.

[J.S. Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having written the news from 2013 - 2015, this title caught my eye. I did quit as I couldn’t morally do the job anymore (the owners told us to write only stories that incited fear, hate, and anger in the Readers). Spreading that kind of stuff went against everything I believe in so I left the industry.
The bits of American history Levin writes about here were interesting.
However, as I’ve said before, the media IS a business. It sells what people buy. & unfortunately, the majority of people buy the stories that encourage fear, hate & anger. If you don’t like it, stop clicking it on it, stop subscribing to it, stop reading it. Believe me, the dollars (in terms of views/subscribers lost) will talk & they will change their tune accordingly.
I don’t believe the entire responsibility lies with the media. It’s a business. If it’s not making money, it’s going to publish what does. I believe the ultimate responsibility lies with we, the people.

I believe Mr. Steffen sums it up quite accurately in his 1929 article 'How I Created A Crime Wave,' and explains a few of the issues affecting our nation today. (highlights below)

“Every now and then there occurs the phenomenon called a crime wave. New York has such waves periodically; other cities have them; and they sweep over the public and nearly drown the lawyers, judges, preachers and other leading citizens who feel that they must explain and cure these extraordinary outbreaks of lawlessness. Their diagnoses and their remedies are always the same: the disease is lawlessness; the cure is more law, more arrests, swifter trials and harder penalties. The sociologists and other scientists go deeper into the wave; the trouble with them is they do not come up. I enjoy crime waves.
“I made one once; I was a reporter on the New York Evening Post. Jacob A. Riis helped; he was a reporter on the Evening Sun. Many other reporters joined in the uplift of that rising tide of crime, but it was my creation, that wave, and Theodore Roosevelt stopped it. He was the President of the Police Board. But even he had to get Riis and me to stop the wave. I feel, therefore, that I know something the wise men do not know about crime waves, and so get a certain sense of happy superiority out of reading editorials, sermons, and speeches on my specialty. It was this way:
“The basement of the old police headquarters was a cool place in summer, and detectives, prisoners and we reporters used to sit together down there and gossip or doze or play cards. Good stories of the underworld were told - true stories.”
“The morning papers not only rewrote ours, they had crimes of their own, which they grouped to show that there was a crime wave.
“It was indeed one of the worst crime waves I ever witnessed, and the explanations were embarrassing to the Reform Police Board which my paper and my friends were supporting in their difficult reform work. The opposition papers, Tammany and the unreformed police officers, rejoiced in the outbreak of crime, which showed that the reformed police, and especially the new detective service, could not deal with the criminals. The outbreak of crimes all over the city so alarmed Roosevelt that he was almost persuaded that the opposition was right in its criticism. He called a secret meeting of the Police Board and was making one of his picturesque harangues, when Commissioner Parker interrupted him. ‘Mr. President, you can stop this crime wave whenever you want to.’
‘I! How?’
“‘Call off your friends Riis and Steffens. They started it and - they’re sick of it. They’ll be glad to quit if you’ll ask them to.’
“Roosevelt was perplexed. ‘I don’t understand,’ he said.
“Parker explained that when the crime wave was running high he inquired into it, not as the editorial writers did: he asked for the police records of crimes and arrests. These showed no increase at all; on the contrary, the total crimes showed a diminution and the arrests an increase. It was only the newspaper reports of crimes that had increased; there was a wave of publicity only.”
“Riis told him about it: how I got him called down by printing a beat, and he had to get even. And did. ‘I beat the pot out of you,’ he boasted to me, his pride reviving. ‘And I can go right on doing it. I can get half-a-dozen crimes a day if I must, or a dozen. I can get all there are every day.’
“Thus the crime wave was ended. T.R. took pleasure in telling Parker that he had deleted not only the wave, but the source of the wave, which was in Parker’s department. He would not say what it was. Parker had to resolve that mystery by learning from the chief of detectives that the President had ordered the daily crime file removed from the public to his inner office.”
How I made a crime wave Lincoln Steffens in the Bookman 12/1928

[Tyler Gish · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think it is important to look at the other side as often as we can. This book is/was a bestseller and knowing full well the narrative I decided to give it a read.

Growing up extremely conservative I am sympathetic towards some of the dialogue I hear from the right. This book, however, does a very poor job of selling it. The author starts off with some decent points but quickly, after about a 1/3 of the way through, turns to anecdotes to rebuttal his points almost entirely. My biggest qualm with the book is the obvious hypocrisy. He lambastes the present day media for the obvious political prejudice they hold while himself propagandizing his ideas with clear bias. The author is either dishonest or ignorant about many of the anecdotes he shares.

You can read this book to understand the rhetoric from the right, but the dishonest representation of points within the book will get under your skin; know that.

[Cactuskid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. I had no idea of the corruption of the press and the spying that past presidents have done. Very interesting that President Trump has not done any of these things, like locking up reporters and shutting down the press. It goes way back even to Lincoln. It really puts today's environment into a different light - how past presidents got away with so much and today they invent stuff in order to resist. A book everyone needs to read!