1 comments about American Chica (Spanish Language edition).

1. Arana's memoir is poetic, colorful and powerful. The book is a moving account of Arana's childhood, split between Peru and Wyoming. She weaves father's rich Peruvian family history into the evolution of Peru and counters it with her American mother's reticence to abide by the rules of the Peruvian society. The reader is split between which society is better: family-centered traditional Peru or independent adventurous America. Arana delicately examines the two cultures in conflict through various relationships: her mother and grandmother disagree on how to raise children and treat husbands; her parents have different goals for the family and expectations of each other; and Marie's little friends, depending on what country she's in, seduce her into one culture while she struggles not to abandon the other. A sense of conflicted identity, pride in one's heritage, and confused loyalties is the result--all told while coming of age suspended between North and South America. Highly recommended.

No comments about Day by Day: The Chronicles of a Hard of Hearing Reporter (Deaf Lives Series, Vol. 7).

No comments about Wordsmith -- Writing a Way Home.

No comments about World Full of Animals (The Great Naturalists).

No comments about Red: A Biography of Red Smith.

3 comments about The Heart in Communicating - One Person's Journey from Broadcaster to Crisis Communicator.

1. Do you really want people to understand what you say? Do you want to know the secrets of reporting? Buy this book! It is not a dry "how to" book but a living story of learning the secrets of communicating effectively in today's world. A great read with great lessons. Any organization that may face the media must have this book in their library. It may save you millions!



2. This book and multimedia cd package is the best way to learn about crisis and media response if you can't attend one of Richard Brundage's seminars. His personal experience will help take you to the next level.
   
   Brundage's concise and well-written book combines his personal experiences as a reporter, broadcaster and crisis communicator with important hands-on techniques for getting your message across to the media no matter what the situation. His willingness to share this knowledge and help others comes through his writing with a straightforward conversational style and tangible examples.
   
   The accompanying multimedia cd includes complete seminar handouts, a seminar Power Point presentation, a 27-page crisis plan, and information on how to host a seminar.
   
   Very useful!



3. Brundage brings to the surface many media communications issues in simple, anecdotal fashion. His media "rules to live by" in situations of crisis set a standard for all aspects of human interface. Cross one of his "bridges" and you'll experience clearly crafted and delivered answers under pressure...even with your spouse! A GREAT read!

3 comments about Charles And Me.

1. I bought this book to see how a world-famous TV personality could lead a parallel romantic life for many years in Montana unknown to his wife and children in New York. The writer does not broach the question with any depth at all. Essentially she writes of travel, menues, decorating, designing cabins and yards, itemizations of wildlife seen, and on through out the book. There aren't any insights on conflicting relationships that I could identify. I wouldn't buy it a second time.



2. When Charles Kuralt died in July 1997, I cried. At the end of 1997, when the annual obituaries were listed, I cried again. Okay, I really liked Charles Kuralt.

   I'm an avid flyfisher and I am spending the whole summer in Twin Bridges, Montana, not far from Charles and Pat's ranch, the Bluebird Wildlife Sanctuary.

   Needless to say, I was fascinated by this book. I do have some hesitation in recommending it wholeheartedly, however, to anyone not a Kuralt or Montana fan. Some of the details are rather sketchy, especially where the late 80s and early 90s are concerned. The story started out strong, kind of faded out and then came back strong after Charles died.

   All in all, I'm glad Pat Shannon wrote this book. Pick it up. I think you'll like it.




3. I was an avid fan of Charles Kuralt and now I'm Pat Shannon's fan too. What a wonderful writer she is! With elegance and grace, she writes of her long relationship with Charles - telling her side of the story that made headlines a few years ago. And telling his side too. I enjoyed this book immensely -

1 comments about Call the Briefing: Bush and Reagan, Sam and Helen - A Decade With Presidents and the Press.

1. "Call the Briefing" by Marlin Fitzwater puts you in the White House. The reader is brought right to the Podium, fielding questions from a voracious Press Corps ready to do almost anything for a story. And you are there with the President and the Cabinet, discussing strategy and estimating every action's media reaction.

   It was hard to put this book down. You meet the very idealistic Ronald Reagan and the very professional George H. W. Bush through the eyes of the man who served a Press Secretary in both Administrations. Mr. Fitzwater's longevity in that position attests to his skill at working with the White House insiders and the news media. Many of the events covered are specific to the Reagan and Bush days, but you also experience the many duties of the White House Press Secretary, a role that could give ulcers to almost anyone. This gave me a real appreciation of the "24/7" crises White House Staff in any Administration, must battle every day.

   I especially liked Mr. Fitzwater's writing, honed through years of experience. I liked his ability to paint events in a terse yet rich way. All the journeys of Marlin Fitzwater come alive, starting as a farm boy in Abeliene, Kansas and a reporter and editor in small-town Kansas newspapers.

   Although he had originally wanted a career as a journalist, his opportunity came on the other side of the podium, handling public relations at Government agencies. Mr. Fitzwater got his baptism by fire at the Environmental Protection Agency, handling the hot potato of the Three Mile Island Nuclear leak. I think most people in this country know that it is ultimately the news media which ultimately decides what is news and how that news is presented to the public. But their power is even greater than we perceive. They can choose to make any particular event, such as a Presidential Speech, front-page headline news or bury it on the Obituary page.

   Mr. Fitzwater handled his dual challenge very well: to communicate the Administration's activities in the most favorable light, and at the same time building trust among the White House Press Corps by being fair and honest. One sees the successes, such as the Summit Meetings held by both Presidents Reagan and Bush with Premiere Gorbachev of the Soviet Union. And you see the bad times, such as the unfortunate illnesses suffered by Mr. Bush at Camp David and again in Japan, which caused many people to question his ability to finish his term. The reader also learns about the successes and failures of the Movers and Shakers in the White House, from Caspar Weiberger and Iran-Contra to the rise and fall of the autocratic Chief of Staff John Sununu. And of course the Media are happy to make a story at anyone's expense.

   Definitely five stars, and recommended for anyone who wants to know more about what happens in White House and how it affects the Nation.

No comments about Stop the Presses, Nellie's Got a Scoop!: A Story of Nellie Bly.

No comments about Gentleman of the Press: The Life and Times of an Early Reporter, Julian Ralph of the Sun.