Da Nang Diary: A Forward Air Controller's Gunsight View of Combat in Vietnam

Book Description

THEY FLEW LOW, SLOW, AND INTO THE FACE OF ENEMY FIRE....In Vietnam, an elite group of air force pilots fought a secret air war in Cessna 0-2 and OV-10 Bronco prop planes-flying as low as they could get. The eyes and ears of the fast-moving jets who rained death and destruction down on enemy positions, the forward air controller made an art form out of an air strike-knowing the targets, knowing where friendly troops were, and reacting with split-second, life and death decisions as a battle unfolded. For Tom Yarborough, the risk was constant, intense, electrifying. A member of the super secret Prairie Fire unit, Yarborough became one of the most frequently shot-up pilots flying out of Da Nang-engaging in a series of dangerous secret missions in Laos. This is Yarborough's adrenaline-pumping chronicle of heroism, danger, and brotherhood in Vietnam. From the rescuing of downed pilots to taking out enemy positions, to the most harrowing day-long missions, here is the dedication, courage, and skill of the fliers who took the war into the enemy's backyard.... AUTHORBIO: TOM YARBOROUGH served in the Air Force for thirty years in a variety of flying and staff assignments. A command pilot, he logged 5,000 hours of flying time, with over 1,500 of them in combat. During his two Vietnam tours as a forward air controller, he earned thirty combat decorations, including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Now a business executive, he lives in West Springfield, Virginia, where he maintains ties to the academic community as an adjunct history professor at Northern Virginia Community College.

Customer Reviews:

A surprisingly great book.......2007-09-24

Really great read, a real page turner, funny. About a newby covey pilot who turns into the old man. His crew chief cringes every time he takes off because he brings back more ruined planes than anyone. One of the best FAC books out there.

Outstanding .......2007-05-04

A rare combination a true warrior, who survived some of the most dangerous flying of the Vietnam War and a highly literate author. One wonders where our nation finds the quiet Paladins of the 20'Th century.

At one level a warrior's story of near hand to hand combat from the air with a fully committed enemy. The evolution of the author's transition from a member of the Air Force to his very close identification with the Special Forces who operated under his wing adds to the story. Live at the Muff Divers Club also brings color to the tale. As a war story it has the same ring of aggressive sacrifice of other great warriors.

As a psychological study it is a great story of the magnetism / repulsion of war and the warrior culture.

Finally, it is a story of flying on the very edge. As a pilot what is so stunning is the difficulty of the conditions under which they operated. Operating under ceilings a fraction of that required for civilian pilots while performing a difficult mission and finally trying to stay alive stretches the reader's ability to understand. Most non pilots will take for granted the brief description of descending into cloud covered valleys, far from navigation facilities as another day at the office. Far from it, some of the most dangerous and challenging things a pilot can be called upon to do. But that's just for starters; those of us in civilian life almost always have the ability to climb back though the clouds to sunshine when we are overloaded. However, it must be a totally different experience to be flying against a dedicated enemy while trapped under the overcast. The equivalent of fighting on the edge of a cliff.

.The reader is fortunate that the author brings a great story and the skill to tell the story. Even more of a gift is that the author lived to tell the story of those who did not return.

Great job of telling the true story!.......2007-03-22

Tom has done an outstanding job of telling the tales of FAC work in Vietnam and the secret war in Laos. This book is a must read for anybody with a sense of patriotism and who is a pilot and really cares abot "getting the job done". Excellent book and story.

Thanks Tom

Another American Hero.......2007-03-15

Tom Yarborough (TY)has written an exelent book about his time as a FAC with the 20 TASS in Da Nang during the vienam war.
It is well written, very exiting and I had a hard time putting it down, the author dos a great job putting the reader in the backseat and you can almost taste the adrenelin and smell the sweat.
Go buy this book, you cannot miss out
Bo Hermansen

Da Nang Diary.......2007-01-10

This book has personal significance for me. My sweetheart flew with this group and knows the author, so we will read it together and re-live history with a very intensely personal appreciation of this well-written, engaging book. I initially looked at a few sections and passages and found it interesting, engaging and not the least bit dry or boring as some historical stories can be. Amazed and thrilled that the author has captured such an important part of our mutual history that touched so many American families. BRAVO!

Customer Reviews:

Challenging common myths about a crucial battle.......2004-12-11

This excellent book represents battlefield archaeology at its best. For more than 150 years, the history books have gotten many of the facts wrong concerning this crucial battle of the U.S.-Mexican War. For example, because the only U.S. topographical officer who was present at the battle was killed, we only had the Mexican-made map of the battle, which has now been proven innaccurate by modern research of the battlefield. The Mexican battlefield map got the entire positions of the U.S. and Mexican armies wrong! No doubt, many who have studied this battle have wondered why hundreds of Mexican soldiers were killed while only five U.S. soldiers were killed. One common myth is that the U.S. possessed better artillery. Actually, the Mexican artillery would've been just as accurate as the American artillery...if they had possessed the same quality gunpowder. the poor quality of the Mexican gunpowder used in the battle is one of the key factors in their defeat. Also, the American artillery, with officers like the bold Major Ringgold, was directed with deadly accuracy and was so mobile on the battlefield it was called "flying artillery". Sadly, Major Ringgold, one of the best artillery officers in the U.S. army at that time, was mortally wounded during the battle by a Mexican cannon ball. This book disproves the myths about the battle of Palo Alto and presents the facts through archaeology. There are plenty of illustrations throughout this extraordinary book, and it's a must-have for anyone wanting to learn more about the U.S.-Mexican War.

Battlefield Brought To Life.......2002-05-24

This 227 page book contains copies of the US & Mexican maps of the battlefield, photos of the battlefield today, a superb annotated bibliography, photos and illustrations of artifacts, analysis of weapons & tactics, descriptions of uniforms, sharp modern artwork, easy to read details of how the past and present archaeology was done with suggestions for future work, and quotes from soldiers of both sides who were there.

The research presents new clues to the battle, which may challenge popular misconceptions of both Mexican and US actions in the battle, and provides the potential tourist with places to see.

Masterful blending of archaeology and history........1998-12-01

The authors have blended historical research, terrain analysis, and professional archaeological investigations of this important first battle of the Mexican-American War. This book sets a new standard in the study of battles and battlefields and is a brilliant use multidisciplinary approaches to the study of the past. The text is very readable, not at all dry and scholarly, although the book is a testament to scholarly research and analysis. The illustrations are excellent, especially those focusing on the arms and equipment of both the U.S. and Mexican armies.

The archaeological artifact finds are very well described and illustrated, and the chapter on the professional archaeology of the battlefield is very readable. It is exciting to be able to see what was really used and lost on a field of battle.

This is a well written and very readable study of a single battle. Military historians, Hispanic scholars, and archaeologists will all find this a very useful book. To those interested in the history of Texas and the Mexican-American War this is a book that should be read.

Book Description

Texas was the site of numerous battles both in its own war for independence from Mexico and in the Civil War. Battlefields of Texas is an overview of those significant and oftentimes controversial conflicts. Adobe Walls, Blanco Canyon, Gonzales, Salado, San Jacinto, the Alamo, Palo Duro Canyon, and Rattlesnake Springs are just a few of the many sites across the state where battles were fought. Maps of the battlefields are also included in this unique collection of Texas history. Vivid descriptions of the fields of battle, individual profiles of the participants, and retrospective analysis make this book an excellent reference for both Texas and military historians alike.

Customer Reviews:

Battlefields of Texas.......2005-09-08

I did not know that there were so many conflicts that occurred when Texas was trying to become independent of Mexico. These stories are tremendous and interesting and informative.

Worth Fighting For!.......2004-03-23

This is a history book and battlefield guide. The book list all known battles, raids, skirmishes and some not known in Texas from the Spanish exploration and settlement period to U.S. Cavalry fights with Indians in 1880. The author admits this might not be an all inclusive listing but it will meet most requirements of Texas Battlefield pursuance.
A description of each action, known location and historical markers cover the listings. Overview maps of the actions are included in the book but a person would have to check other maps elsewhere for details on some of the locations.
Also, included is an informative and interesting section describing some of the leaders participating in these actions.
I will drive clear across Texas just to see and read a historical marker setting in a cow pasture. Does this sound like you? This is an excellent book to learn something about battles in Texas. It is also an excellent guide to get you headed in the right location.

Messenger on the Battlefield (Lone Star Heroines a Series for Young Adolescents)

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History lives and breathes
Unique and historically accurate
Unique and historically accurate
A story set at the beginning of the Texas Revolution in 1835
A well written historical novel set in Texas in 1847.

Messenger on the Battlefield (Lone Star Heroines a Series for Young Adolescents)
Melinda Rice
Manufacturer: Republic of Texas
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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A Line in the Sand: the Alamo Diary of Lucinda Lawrence, Gonzales, Texas 1836 (Dear America Series)

ASIN: 1556227884

Book Description

The Lone Star Heroines series brings to life real events in Texas history and shows young readers how girls living during those exciting times experienced and even contributed to those dramatic events. Each book in the series includes a chapter of background stories and pictures of the actual people who lived them.

Customer Reviews:

History lives and breathes.......2003-05-25

This book is about the events leading to the Battle of Gonzales, which was the first conflict in the Texas war of independence from Mexico (October 2, 1835).

I started reading this book to my daughters (ages 7 and 9) after dinner one evening, and we didn't put it down until bedtime more than 50 pages later. They didn't want me to stop reading, and I didn't want to stop either. The characters felt like real people, the story was involving, and just like the people of the times, we didn't know what would happen next.

Melinda Rice gives the reader a Texan's-eye-view of the looming war with Mexico by putting us in the perspective of an 11-year-old girl whose older brothers sympathize with different sides in the conflict. The characters and story have an authentic feel throughout -- I've been to the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum many times, and I found myself reading this book using the same breathy accent used by the historical speakers in their video exhibits. Rice did an excellent job of bringing the reader into history as it happens and making past events feel like they're unfolding around us.

At the end of the book there is a short historical section that gives additional information about the Battle of Gonzales.

The book should be a comfortable read for fourth graders, except for some place and people names.

Unique and historically accurate.......2001-06-09

The unique and historically accurate Lone Star Heroines trilogy by Melinda Rice brings real events in Texas history to life as it shows young readers how girls living at different eras experienced and contributed to dramatic events. In Messenger On The Battlefield (1556227884, ...) is set in 1835 when 11-year-old Isabelina Montoya is happy to hear that her older sister has accepted the marriage proposal of a handsome Mexican solder. But when Texas goes to war against Mexico, dividing Isabelina's family, a decision must be made as to whether they should remain true to their Mexican heritage or fight for their new Texas homeland! Fire On The Hillside (1556227892, ...) is set in the spring of 1847 and finds 13-year-old Katherine Haufmann arriving from Fredericksburg, Texas with her family as immigrants from Germany. As she struggles to get used to her new home, Katherine becomes intrigued by the mysterious fires that start appearing in the nearby hills. While the rest of the townsfolk focus on peace talks with the Comanche, Katherine decides to discover the cause of those mysterious fires. Secrets In The Sky (1556227876, ...) is set in 1943 as World War Two is raging overseas. 12-year-old Bethany Parker lives in Sweetwater, Texas, when the Women Air Force Service Pilots come to town. When one of the women dies during a training flight, Bethany is convinced the mysterious crash was the work of a Nazi spy -- and sets out to prove it! The Lone Star Heroines is an outstanding and very highly recommended series of historical novels for young readers that are each enhanced with a "Sources" bibliography for the further study and more detailed study of Texas history.

Unique and historically accurate.......2001-06-09

The unique and historically accurate Lone Star Heroines trilogy by Melinda Rice brings real events in Texas history to life as it shows young readers how girls living at different eras experienced and contributed to dramatic events. In Messenger On The Battlefield (1556227884, [price]) is set in 1835 when 11-year-old Isabelina Montoya is happy to hear that her older sister has accepted the marriage proposal of a handsome Mexican solder. But when Texas goes to war against Mexico, dividing Isabelina's family, a decision must be made as to whether they should remain true to their Mexican heritage or fight for their new Texas homeland! Fire On The Hillside (1556227892, [price]) is set in the spring of 1847 and finds 13-year-old Katherine Haufmann arriving from Fredericksburg, Texas with her family as immigrants from Germany. As she struggles to get used to her new home, Katherine becomes intrigued by the mysterious fires that start appearing in the nearby hills. While the rest of the townsfolk focus on peace talks with the Comanche, Katherine decides to discover the cause of those mysterious fires. Secrets In The Sky (1556227876, [price]) is set in 1943 as World War Two is raging overseas. 12-year-old Bethany Parker lives in Sweetwater, Texas, when the Women Air Force Service Pilots come to town. When one of the women dies during a training flight, Bethany is convinced the mysterious crash was the work of a Nazi spy -- and sets out to prove it! The Lone Star Heroines is an outstanding and very highly recommended series of historical novels for young readers that are each enhanced with a "Sources" bibliography for the further study and more detailed study of Texas history.

A story set at the beginning of the Texas Revolution in 1835.......2001-06-06

Eleven-year-old Isabel Montoya lives with her family on a ranch near Gonzales, Texas, in 1835. Isabel feels as if everything in her life is changing. Her older sister has left home after marrying a Mexican soldier, and the family is divided over the conflict between Texas and Mexico, with Isabel's two older brother on opposing sides while Isabel and her parents struggle to remain neutral. When her brothers run away from home - Joaquin to join the Texans, and Alonso to join the Mexicans - the family is devastated. And when Isabel's father is shot and may be dying, Isabel knows it is up to her to reunited her fragmented family - before it's too late. This was a wonderful novel about a young girl caught up in the beginnings of the Texas Revolution. I wish, however, that the book had been a little longer, and that the ending was less open.

A well written historical novel set in Texas in 1847........2001-06-04

The year is 1847, and thirteen-year-old Katherine Haufmann lives with her family in Fredricksburg, Texas. The Haufmanns and their neighbors are immigrants from Germany who founded the town the year before. Even though she has been in Texas a year, Katherine still thinks of Germany as her home, and longs to return. After her father joins a peacemaking expedition to the Comanche Indians, Katherine and the other residents of Fredricksburg notice strange fires on the hillside outside of town, that appear each evening at dark in the same exact two places and last until dawn. With fear rising of a possible attack, either by the Comanche or by bitter Americans who feel the Germans have stolen their land, Katherine takes it open herself to find the origin of the mysterious fires - and puts herself in far greater danger than she ever could have imagined. Based on real events in Fredricksburg, Texas, in the spring of 1847, this is the story of a spunky and courageous young girl who, in her quest for the truth, finds that her home is where she least imagined it being.

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site, Texas : draft, general management plan, environmental assessment (SuDoc I 29.79/3:P 18)

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Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site, Texas : draft, general management plan, environmental assessment (SuDoc I 29.79/3:P 18)
U.S. Dept of Interior
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00010TBMM

The vascular flora of the Palo Alto National Battlefield Historic Site, Cameron County, Texas.: An article from: The Texas Journal of Science

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The vascular flora of the Palo Alto National Battlefield Historic Site, Cameron County, Texas.: An article from: The Texas Journal of Science
Robert I. Lonard , Alfred T. Richardson , and N.L. Richard
Manufacturer: Texas Academy of Science
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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ASIN: B00082HBB6
Release Date: 2005-07-31

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Texas Journal of Science, published by Texas Academy of Science on February 1, 2004. The length of the article is 5548 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The vascular flora of the Palo Alto National Battlefield Historic Site, Cameron County, Texas.
Author: Robert I. Lonard
Publication: The Texas Journal of Science (Refereed)
Date: February 1, 2004
Publisher: Texas Academy of Science
Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Page: 15(20)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Battlefields of Texas
Kevin Young
Manufacturer: Wordware
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Campo de Batalla Palo Alto, Sitio Histórico Nacional, Texas : borrador, plan general administrativo, evaluación del medio ambiente (SuDoc I 29.79/3:P 18/SPAN.)

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Campo de Batalla Palo Alto, Sitio Histórico Nacional, Texas : borrador, plan general administrativo, evaluación del medio ambiente (SuDoc I 29.79/3:P 18/SPAN.)
U.S. Dept of Interior
Manufacturer: Departamento del Interior de los Estados Unidos, Servicio de Parques Nacionales
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00010T8AC

Establishing the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site in Texas : report (to accompany H.R. 1642) (including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office) (SuDoc Y 1.1/8:102-86)

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Establishing the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site in Texas : report (to accompany H.R. 1642) (including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office) (SuDoc Y 1.1/8:102-86)
U.S. Congressional Budget Office
Manufacturer: U.S. G.P.O.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B000107G10

The ladies and the battlefield: A partial chronology of the efforts of the San Jacinto Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas to save and preserve the San Jacinto Battlefield--1891 to 1999

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The ladies and the battlefield: A partial chronology of the efforts of the San Jacinto Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas to save and preserve the San Jacinto Battlefield--1891 to 1999
Janet Miller DeVault
Manufacturer: J. DeVault]
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Description

With his critically acclaimed memoir This Just In, Schieffer proved himself a natural storyteller, a gifted writer able to capture the workings of television news with remarkable wit and insight. Now Schieffer focuses his keen reporter's eye on 50 years of Face the Nation's live broadcasts and the historic moments the program has captured. From its 1954 debut, an interview with Senator Joe McCarthy the day before the Senate debate that would condemn him, to the broadcast's 1957 groundbreaking interview with a candid and controversial Nikita Khrushchev; from the brilliant analysis of communism made by guest Martin Luther King Jr. to the sometimes stunning, always revealing interviews with each sitting president; from the heroic and moving coverage of the terrorist attacks of September 11 to the revolutionary coverage of the war in Iraq, Schieffer shares unforgettable anecdotes about the guests, the stories and the events captured by the venerable public affairs program.

Marked by the author's candid personal observations and wise, good humor, and featuring a special companion DVD of broadcast highlights created by CBS News for this edition, Bob Schieffer's look at 50 years of Face the Nation shines an entertaining and nostalgic light on America's presidents, culture, foreign policy and domestic affairs.

Customer Reviews:

Neat inside-look at TV journalism and politics.......2006-12-02

I listened to Face the Nation: My Favorite Stories unabridged on audio, narrated by the author. Schieffer gives a fine reading reflecting his love of Face the Nation and his colleagues, and his pride in the impact the show has had on US politics. Highlights for me were anecdotes about the guests (ranging from Fidel Castro to Muhammad Ali), a recounting of Leslie Stahl's impact breaking through the gender line and earning the respect of an industry, and Schieffer's terrific personal "commentaries" on the news of the day.

I'm giving four stars instead of five because I'd have preferred more stories about the guests, and less on its staff and moderators, which can be summarized as a group of highly-dedicated, professional journalists.

Concise history of 50 years.......2005-05-21

This respected journalist provides a very engaging historical reporting of some major events that shaped political and foreign policy issues from the U.S. perspective. Events leading upto the talk show, Face the Nation, the major players in the CBS corporation is discussed first. Then, in short and crisp separate chapters, Schieffer reports and adds insights on different events such as McCarthy-ism, Cuban revolution, Vietnam war, Nixon scandals, rise of women in journalism, Starr versus Clinton episode, and the Iraq war. Each chapter provides behind-the-scene accounts of some famous interviews. Interesting reading. Dont look for any analysis of events..that is not the intent of the book. Even then, the chapter on Vietnam war is way too compact compared to the length devoted to lesser events such as Lewinsky scandal.

"a window on history".......2005-04-18

I am not a regular viewer of the Sunday political interview program Face the Nation but, while surfing channels, I saw Face the Nation moderator Bob Schieffer discuss his book celebrating the 50th anniversary of the program. Clips from the DVD included with the book were shown. There was the CBS crew in Moscow interviewing Nikita Krushchev in an odd-looking set in 1957. Then they showed a clip from 1959 with Fidel Castro in Havana. Schieffer explained that armed guards (one with a gun pointed at FTN producer Ted Ayers) surrounded the camera crew with Castro giving the probably not too reassuring claim that they were "men of love." What really intrigued me was a clip of the first FTN telecast. Senator Joe McCarthy was interviewed shortly before Congress voted to censure him for his excessive, paranoid, unsubstantiated accusations that many in the government were card-carrying Communists. McCarthy branded the Senate session a "lynching bee" right on the television show. When I was a teacher, I researched several lectures on McCarthy and never heard of this interview. Since I am interested in Cold War history, I bought this book.

The 50th anniversary book covers the following topics: McCarthy and the Red Scare, Krushchev the "big scoop," "Castro day on CBS," Civil Rights, Vietnam, the Pentagon Papers, women on FTN, presidential campaigns, Clinton's impeachment, 9/11, and the war in Iraq. The second part includes select "final thoughts" by Schieffer my favorite being on Prince Charles: "So why is this cause to celebrate? Because he's their prince, not ours" (p. 197). The third section is a brief look at the moderators and producers of FTN through the decades. In the back are statistics listing guests with the most appearances and the longest span of appearances. Part 1, the meat of the book, is only 179 pages of the short 227-page book, so the topics are discussed only briefly. Still, there are some interesting stories.

I am more interested in the Cold War-era topics so the following highlights are mostly from the older broadcasts. On McCarthy, Schieffer explains how blacklists publications like Aware and Red Channels influenced CBS's hiring process (p. 19). One story I have never heard before was that Ed Sullivan wanted to be a respected news journalist and hoped that interviewing Castro (the same day as FTN's interview with the Cuban dictator) would help him be taken seriously in that department by Edward R. Murrow. Sullivan was so impressed by Castro that he donated a 10,000 check to the dictator (Sullivan was soon persuaded to put a stop on the check) (p. 43). Another highlight was the Vietnam chapter and how a long parade of government officials interviewed misled the public (either out of ignorance or intentional deception) as to America's progress in southeast Asia. In more recent news, Schieffer humorously describes Al Gore's attempt to seem more down-to-earth on FTN by being interviewed in a vegetable market in casual, farmer garb. Schieffer points out that the soles of Gore's boots were clean as a whistle (p. 124). The book is a quick read through the main news items in the second half of the 20th century. It includes many photos.

The DVD shows shorts clips of the following: McCarthy, Krushchev, Castro, Roy Wilkens, Martin Luther King, Jr., George Wallace, Hubert Humphrey, Dean Rusk, Melvin Laird, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Chase Smith, Ike, JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, candidates McGovern, Dukakis, Perot, Dole, Gore, McCain, Edwards, Dean, and Kerry. On the Clinton story are Clinton's lawyer Bob Bennett and Monica's lawyer William Ginsburg among others and discussing 9/11 are Hillary Clinton, Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld, etc. Members of the CBS news team cover the Iraq war and Schieffer offers a final thought. I was a little disappointed that the DVD did not offer more of the early interviews than the shorts clips I saw on television promoting the book. Still it is 2 hours long and adds a star to the score. It greatly enhances the book to see some of these interviews in the flesh.

Face the Nation exposed.......2005-03-06

Although I watch Face the Nation occasionally, I bought the audio book CD after I saw Bob Schieffer on the "The Daily Show with John Stewart." The book/CD is a series of interesting anecdotes on the inner workings of a TV news program beginnning at a time in the world where TV was a new and uncharted medium.

If you are interested to hear an insider's perspective on how the TV news program has evolved over the years, and also hear some interesting historical footnotes, then this is worth it.

It presents an historical perspective and autobiographical recounting of Bob Schieffer's experiences from the inside of the TV news show "Face the Nation". It had some insightful commentary about the power of advertisers and how executives will sometimes make bad decisions, but shows how the integrity of the journalist can ultimately win the day.

I felt it transitions nicely between vignettes and giving you a sense of the time and historical context while weaving an interesting historical tapestry.

I really enjoyed the stories about McCarthy, Ali, Castro, Kennedy & Nixon. The story about Kruschev is a real gem, and alone is almost worth the price of admission. Both Bob's voice and storytelling really give an authentic flavor that comes from a personal recounting of events that you don't typically get in a work of non-fiction.

ENJOYABLE AND INFORMATIVE.......2005-01-09

This is a very enjoyable overview of the first fifty years of Face the Nation. It offers a number of "behind the scenes" looks at the show as well as the author's thoughts on the history and philosophy of the show.

The earlier anecdotes were fascinating--particularly the chapters describing the Castro, Kruschev and McCarthy interviews. Without a doubt, the most interesting for me was the Castro chapter which included a look at the professional tension between Ed Sullivan and Edward R. Murrow.

The book drifts a bit near the end, but, overall, it is delightful, informative and an easy read.

Face the Nation (My Favorite Stories from the First 50 Years of the Award-Winning News Broadcast)

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Face the Nation (My Favorite Stories from the First 50 Years of the Award-Winning News Broadcast)

Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster; Bk & DVD edition
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0641658737

Product Description

In this engaging memoir of television news and its unique place in history, New York Times bestselling author and Face the Nation anchor Bob Schieffer takes us behind the scenes of the Sunday morning institution that has provided a window on the most memorable events of the last half-century. With his critically acclaimed memoir This Just In, Schieffer proved himself a natural storyteller, a gifted writer able to capture the workings of television news with remarkable wit and insight. Now Schieffer focuses his keen reporter's eye on 50 years of Face the Nation's live broadcasts and the historic moments the program has captured. From its 1954 debut, an interview with Senator Joe McCarthy the day before the Senate debate that would condemn him, to the broadcast's 1957 groundbreaking interview with a candid and controversial Nikita Khrushchev; from the brilliant analysis of communism made by guest Martin Luther King Jr. to the sometimes stunning, always revealing interviews with each sitting president; from the heroic and moving coverage of the terrorist attacks of September 11 to the revolutionary coverage of the war in Iraq, Schieffer shares unforgettable anecdotes about the guests, the stories and the events captured by the venerable public affairs program. Marked by the author's candid personal observations and wise, good humor, and featuring a special companion DVD of broadcast highlights created by CBS News for this edition, Bob Schieffer's look at 50 years of Face the Nation shines an entertaining and nostalgic light on America's presidents, culture, foreign policy and domestic affairs.

Face the Nation: My Favorite Stories from the First 50 Years (Unabridged)

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Face the Nation: My Favorite Stories from the First 50 Years (Unabridged)
Bob Schieffer
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B0006LBXG8

A little too inside-the-Beltway: the establishment tilt of "Face the Nation".(Face the Nation: My Favorite Stories From the First 50 Years of the Award-Winning ... An article from: American Journalism Review

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A little too inside-the-Beltway: the establishment tilt of "Face the Nation".(Face the Nation: My Favorite Stories From the First 50 Years of the Award-Winning ... An article from: American Journalism Review
Carl Sessions Stepp
Manufacturer: University of Maryland
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from American Journalism Review, published by University of Maryland on October 1, 2004. The length of the article is 855 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: A little too inside-the-Beltway: the establishment tilt of "Face the Nation".(Face the Nation: My Favorite Stories From the First 50 Years of the Award-Winning News Broadcast)(Book Review)
Author: Carl Sessions Stepp
Publication: American Journalism Review (Refereed)
Date: October 1, 2004
Publisher: University of Maryland
Volume: 26 Issue: 5 Page: 102(1)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Just over two decades ago, research findings that environmentally hazardous facilities were more likely to be sited near poor and minority communities gave rise to the environmental justice movement. Yet inequitable distribution of the burdens of industrial facilities and pollution is only half of the problem; poor and minority communities are often denied the benefits of natural resources and can suffer disproportionate harm from decisions about their management and use.

Justice and Natural Resources is the first book devoted to exploring the concept of environmental justice in the realm of natural resources. Contributors consider how decisions about the management and use of natural resources can exacerbate social injustice and the problems of disadvantaged communities. Looking at issues that are predominantly rural and western - many of them involving Indian reservations, public lands, and resource development activities - it offers a new and more expansive view of environmental justice.

The book begins by delineating the key conceptual dimensions of environmental justice in the natural resource arena. Following the conceptual chapters are contributions that examine the application of environmental justice in natural resource decision-making. Chapters examine:

how natural resource management can affect a range of stakeholders quite differently, distributing benefits to some and burdens to others
the potential for using civil rights laws to address damage to natural and cultural resources
the unique status of Native American environmental justice claims
parallels between domestic and international environmental justice
how authority under existing environmental law can be used by Federal regulators and communities to address a broad spectrum of environmental justice concerns

Justice and Natural Resources offers a concise overview of the field of environmental justice and a set of frameworks for understanding it. It expands the previously urban and industrial scope of the movement to include distribution of the burdens and access to the benefits of natural resources, broadening environmental justice to a truly nationwide concern.

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