Covering Catastrophe [Hardcover]

Allison Gilbert (Editor), Robyn Walensky (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 17, 2003

Covering Catastrophe tells what it was like for TV and radio journalists to report the most terrifying story of their lives-and our time.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Opening with the prelude "A Clear Blue Sky" and closing with nightfall, this book offers accounts by broadcast journalists from New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC, of their experiences covering the events of September 11, 2001. The text is pieced together like a quilt, interspersing brief fragments identified by a quote and the name of each journalist, who range from radio helicopter reporters to all three network news anchors. The intensity created by this format represents the chaotic feeling of that day, which readers will relive through the vivid descriptions of what the reporters saw and felt. This book ably documents the workings of broadcast journalism in a crisis and illustrates the dedication and professionalism of journalists at a crucial moment in American history. It will be of interest to journalism students as well as general readers. Judy Solberg, George Washington Univ. Lib., Washington, DC
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Mitchell Stephens has written A History of News, Wadsworth Pub. Co.; ISBN 0155018574 and The Rise of the Image the Fall of the Word, Oxford University Press; ISBN 0195098293

Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing (November 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156625180X
• ISBN-13: 978-1566251808
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,044,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars History in the Making. This book is a must! Chilling.. May 16, 2002

By Suzanne Sena

Format:Hardcover

Well, what can I say? I bought this book and finished it the same day! I absolutely could not put it down! This book offers an up close and personal account of one of the worst days in American History. Not only did these journalists risk their lives to bring breaking news to the American public, but they became PART of the horrifying event as it unfolded before our very eyes. This book is a personal account of what these people, not journalists, experienced on that chilling day as they put themselves in the line of fire trying to do their job. Like many of us, these journalists lost loved ones in the World Trade Center right before their very eyes, and ran for their lives when the towers collapsed. Some journalists were hurt, others put their job aside for a moment and headed in to assist the wounded. The world united as the tragedy of September 11th unfolded, and our country demonstrated the best in humanity. This book recaps this horrible day up close and personal through our journalists' eyes.

The terrorist ttack on September 11th, was the worst thing tht has ever happend in my lifetime, and I was personally traumatized as events unfolded before me on the television set. I lost friends that day, and a city that I called home at one time was changed forever. This book made me cry at times as it reminded me of the details of that horrible day. I never want to forget what happend, which is why I purchased this book. I will use this book to help explain to my children what I, and everyone else in America went through on 9/11. This book spoke to me on a very personal and human level, and for that I am happy to add it to my collection. I read also, that all royalties will be give to the Citigroup Scholarship Fund and Societ of Broadcast Engineers Fund. I am glad to see that the money for this book is more of an extension of the humanity I witnessed on that day. I cant recommend this book enough.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Broadcast Journalists are Human Too April 23, 2002

By Greg Johnson

Format:Hardcover

On that most inhumane of days, 9/11/01, the humanity of the broadcast journalists covering the horrible events, was jerked from its comfortable background position, and exposed for all to see and hear. "Covering Catastrophe" is the chronicle of many different news professionals who worked the story, telling in their own words how they reported on and in many cases became part of the story. The most moving aspect of the book for me was how they shed tears, feared for the lost, became closer to their families and in some cases fought the nightmares.

The book is presented in chronological order, beginning with a bright cloudless morning in New York, and ending almost 24 hours later. Some of the well known principals, such as Brokaw, Rather and Jennings will probably write more detailed memoirs of the event, but this book highlights how the "average guys" responded as well. The book is well paced and will not only take you back to 9/11, but will give you a glimpse of what it was like on the other side of the TV screen.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful April 23, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Well done. My hat's off to the editors. It had to be difficult to wade through that much material and decide what stays and what goes. It had to be just as difficult to relive that horrible day through the first-person accounts of friends and colleagues.
As for how it reads, it is a FAST read. But for me, I can only read a little at a time. It is a powerful book.