Janelle C. (jscrappy) reviewed Talking Back: . . . to Presidents, Dictators, and Assorted Scoundrels on + 59 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of the best-written memoirs I've read, and one of the most interesting. Andrea Mitchell has had a career and a life that has brought her into close contact with virtually every major world figure of the past 30 years. She effortlessly guides you through those years, both summarizing the issues of the day and then providing her own take on the stories she was covering at that time. Particularly interesting is the behind-the-scenes story of the fine line she has had to walk as the wife of Alan Greenspan, a role that brought her into social contact with national movers-and-shakers--whom she then had to cover objectively as a reporter. This is a fascinating book for anyone who has followed politics and world affairs for the last few decades--and a great guide to those years for anyone who hasn't been paying attention.
Ashton A. (ashtonalverson) reviewed Talking Back: . . . to Presidents, Dictators, and Assorted Scoundrels on + 9 more book reviews
I thought this book was okay. It is more about her life story as a journalist then confrontational interviews with "presidents, dictators, and assorted scoundrels". It deals a lot with Presdient Clinton and the presidential elections. It gets very boring in some parts, but for the most part, if you want to read the autobiography of Andrea Mitchell, then this is the book for you.
Leo T. reviewed Talking Back: . . . to Presidents, Dictators, and Assorted Scoundrels on + 1775 more book reviews
I obtained this through the kindness of PBS comrade Fred Weiss of Hackettstown, New Jersey, wanting it for the shelf at the old soldiers' home. Ms. Mitchell was recently mentioned in passing for her successful antics at presidential press conferences. Being not very tall, she would worm her way forward, and could stand in front of the TV cameras without blocking their view while she got in a question. She reported from D.C. during the 1970s and retired after GB2's first term. "Washington had been the incubator for so many political movements, struggles that changed the way we live, work, and vote."
Ms. Mitchell shares with readers many inside anecdotes. For example, when the First Gulf War unexpectedly broke out, only CNN had feet on the ground and maintained a telephonic connection that was nearly exclusive as lines went down during the first seventeen hours. "Knowing that the White House would have to notify congressional leaders, I called them all, repeatedly. Speaker of the House Tom Foley was out, I later learned, buying shirts at Brooks Brothers when he got the White House call. With a striking lack of creativity, the prearranged code Jim Baker used to alert Senator Jesse Helms and others not on secure telephones was, 'The balloon is up.'"
Photo section, index.
Ms. Mitchell shares with readers many inside anecdotes. For example, when the First Gulf War unexpectedly broke out, only CNN had feet on the ground and maintained a telephonic connection that was nearly exclusive as lines went down during the first seventeen hours. "Knowing that the White House would have to notify congressional leaders, I called them all, repeatedly. Speaker of the House Tom Foley was out, I later learned, buying shirts at Brooks Brothers when he got the White House call. With a striking lack of creativity, the prearranged code Jim Baker used to alert Senator Jesse Helms and others not on secure telephones was, 'The balloon is up.'"
Photo section, index.
