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bookishmillennial86's review
informative
sad
3.5
It's an intriguing book that reveals the manipulation at Fox News, spearheaded by Sean Hannity, and the ‘for profit’ mindset at the network. The swift transformation of a conservative news channel, which once held journalistic values, into a platform dominated by Trump advocates and defenders is almost unbelievable. Learning about the extent of their power and influence over the then President Trump, while not always believing the lies & fear mongering they were pushing is truly astonishing. (Although the network shifted to being more "Anti-Democrat" from "Pro-Trump" in more recent years).
The network, along with its audience, exist in an 'alternative reality,' and this book delves into the reasons behind it and the making of that reality. Despite the common belief that everyone at Fox is morally corrupt, there were and are individuals who either departed voluntarily, were ousted, or remain, striving to report the news accurately. It's quite revealing that numerous employees believed they wouldn't secure employment at other news networks due to their loyalty and/or work at Fox News.
Contrary to certain reviews, I don’t view this book as Anti-Trump or a hate piece on Fox News. Although it may display some bias (like almost everything does), it primarily presents an accurate account of what was actually happening - live on air and behind the scenes. There are quotes and stats that can be fact-checked (some of which are shocking). Stelter is not randomly presenting information, unlike some personalities at Fox News who did just that.
Trump's assertion about fake news holds some truth, but what he fails to recognize is that Fake News and Fox News are two sides of the same coin.
The network, along with its audience, exist in an 'alternative reality,' and this book delves into the reasons behind it and the making of that reality. Despite the common belief that everyone at Fox is morally corrupt, there were and are individuals who either departed voluntarily, were ousted, or remain, striving to report the news accurately. It's quite revealing that numerous employees believed they wouldn't secure employment at other news networks due to their loyalty and/or work at Fox News.
Contrary to certain reviews, I don’t view this book as Anti-Trump or a hate piece on Fox News. Although it may display some bias (like almost everything does), it primarily presents an accurate account of what was actually happening - live on air and behind the scenes. There are quotes and stats that can be fact-checked (some of which are shocking). Stelter is not randomly presenting information, unlike some personalities at Fox News who did just that.
Trump's assertion about fake news holds some truth, but what he fails to recognize is that Fake News and Fox News are two sides of the same coin.
thecurseofchris's review
4.0
Obviously this book is anti-Donald Trump & Fox News, so expect some bias. Keep that in mind and you'll probably enjoy it. If you're pro-Trump or obsess over what the crazies on Fox tell you, you'll hate this book.
Oh, and the author narrates the audio version, so if you're a fan of his, check it out because he does a nice job with it.
Oh, and the author narrates the audio version, so if you're a fan of his, check it out because he does a nice job with it.
randyrasa's review
3.0
A detail-rich and thoroughly-reported dissection of the codependent relationship between Fox News and the Trump presidency, with anecdotes aplenty that demonstrate the substantial damage inflicted on the nation. It was a failure of leadership, a failure of morality, and a failure of professionalism all around. The book often delves deep into inside-baseball details that are important, but are of less interest to those not in the biz.
jupiterheathen's review against another edition
5.0
An essential read going into this year's election cycle. Want to understand why it's popular to disparage science, reason, and to gaslight people for the advancement of a conservative agenda?
It's also unfortunate how a book like this would automatically be dismissed as fake news but this mentality has been carefully fostered since 1996.
It's also unfortunate how a book like this would automatically be dismissed as fake news but this mentality has been carefully fostered since 1996.
bhgold1711's review against another edition
4.0
A good repackaging of prior reporting
I have enjoyed watching Brian Stelter on TV and social media over the years, which is what led me to buy this. And it is a good book, but for the most part, I do not think it broke any new ground. Brian does a good job of connecting the dots and the lines between Trump and Fox, and exposing the hypocrisy at Fox, but at the end of the day, I don’t think this is a groundbreaking piece of reporting.
I have enjoyed watching Brian Stelter on TV and social media over the years, which is what led me to buy this. And it is a good book, but for the most part, I do not think it broke any new ground. Brian does a good job of connecting the dots and the lines between Trump and Fox, and exposing the hypocrisy at Fox, but at the end of the day, I don’t think this is a groundbreaking piece of reporting.
miguelf's review against another edition
4.0
Another Trump book that one goes in with a very low bar in terms of expectations, simply because the subject is so well known especially when hearing about the ties between the administration and Fox News. Also, no offense to Brian Stelter: he seems competent but we aren't dealing with Walter Cronkite here. However, Stelter does a pretty decent job in showing just how insidious this twisted relationship is between these two dysfunctional entities and how the American public is so worse off because of it. If there was ever an Exhibit A of the reason the fairness doctrine or something that resembles it need to come back into law, this should be it. To think that major policy decisions over the past 4 years and likely 4 more have been dictated by the whims of such ill-informed, narcissistic, hateful and petty personalities is abhorrent and terrifying in equal measures.