Customer Reviews

Deadlines and Datelines

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I recently completed the reading of Dan Rather's collection of essays entitled Deadlines and Datelines. I found this book to be quite interesting for several reasons. One of the main reasons that I enjoyed reading it was because of the way it was organized. The book is compilation of a number of Mr. Rather's writings for his daily newspaper column "Dan Rather Reporting" and other short writings. Since they have been compiled over many years, none of them are current. It may seem like that would be a downside to this book, but I find it interesting to look back on what was being reported while the events were taking place, now that we have seen what actually happened. It can be compared to looking back over newspaper from several years ago to see what was happening in the world when you now have the ability to look back and put it in perspective. Another reason I found this book to be quite enjoyable was the wide variety of topics covered by the essays contained within the collection. Rather included writings on everything from such serious topics as the Oklahoma City bombing to topics as comical as the article on Texas "dumb bass" that are bread to be easier to catch. This is one of those books that you don't have to read cover to cover; you can pick any particular essay from any part of the book and read it without having to complete those that precede it. One of my favorite essays was one written just after Clinton took office. It featured advice for the then new president of the United States, which included 1.) Advising that Clinton give up cigar smoking, 2.) Suggesting that he give up golf, and 3.) Recommending that he get a dog. I particularly liked this one because it was hilarious to look back on what Clinton actually did during his term in office, and relating it to the "advise" offered by the author. The only downside to this book was that it wasn't really a book in the sense of being a novel or a story. Despite that, this assortment of short compositions did make for entertaining reading when I found a spare moment.

This is the first book I've read by Dan Rather, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I never had the chance to read his essays in the newspaper or hear them on radio, so this book was a big surprise to me. I thought his collection of essays were serious,touching, and thought provoking. Sometimes they were downright funny. My favorites were his his essays on teachers, the Monica Lewinsky scandal, the last grandmother, and his homage Princess Diana. I also enjoyed his humorous essays. I never knew that Dan Rather had such a good sense of humor. It's definitly a side of him that you don't see when he does the news. If you're a fan of Dan, then this is a book that you should check out.

Dan Rather is truly an intellectual, one of a kind and scarce in America's "demoralized" media. Whether he is a conservative or a liberal, is regardless. What matters is that he approaches every subject with sincerity and broadened perspective. It is a shame that Americans don't recognize this "gem of journalism" (at its best). Considering their preferences of other newsmakers, we see a great need for morals in the socially underachieved America.

As for Datelines and Deadlines, great work Mr.Rather. Please continue with your invaluable work.

I've lived in Colorado's front range for nine years and gotten more conservative by the month. I saw Rather's book in the library, expecting not to like it. My first thoughts were cynical. "Short book, must not have much to say, look even the print's extra big." Seven essays into the book and I was ready to invite the man to dinner. In his brevity, Rather quickly gets to the core of the subject and leaves you room to compare your own thoughts about a history always personal and compeling instead of distant and inane. I find myself liking this book very much in spite of myself.

This collection of essays from his syndicated weekly column is sorta like Nick Clooney's in Cincinnati. This book contains 99 short composites espousing his point of view on diverse themes; he's not afraid to state his likes, dislikes, and fears plus his sense of humor. Like his take on Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' which is different but thought-provoking, and the "immorality" in the White House during Lincoln's term.

Surely he wasn't serious about an Oscar for Debbie Reynolds as an old woman. She was just playing herself, as she always did. He chose her because she was born in Texas. Hey, she grew up in California! For his deficient memory, she was the 'original' Tammy, then Sandra Dee took over in "the Doctor" with Peter Fonda. Debbie is a good entertainer but not so successful in normal living, as being "turned on" is the only way she knows how to be. Last year, she moved her movie memorbilia to Pigeon Forge (not too far from Dollywood) in the Smokies and, as a result, was chosen to ride the main float in their Christmas parade. Now, that's a star -- to come to Tennessee after the flob in Las Vegas. It appears that she lives through her obese daughter, Carrie, who writes. He had flattering things to say about Dolly Parton, a native of this state but not representative of us all.

He bemoans the fact of the seasons overlapping in 'It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Easter,' due to marketing and displays in the stores. I wish we could go back to the old days when fruit and veggies are available only in the growing season for America; they do taste better then, as he lamented.

He likes to go where the action is. In June 1996 in Moscow, at 3 a.m. after filing his last report on the Russian elections and on the way to his hotel, he heard the voice of Ella Fitzgerald who'd just died. She had a pure quality to her voice, received much acclaim in life as in death. He wrote, "We never knew much about her personal life; we never knew anything about her except in her songs." If he listened to MUSIC OF YOUR LIFE and Chuck Southcott, he'd be sad to learn that she'd lost both legs due to diabetes, and her friends would take her for a daily afternoon ride around Los Angeles while Chuck played her songs on the radio. She may have seemed "alone" in her singing, but her friends in the Society of Singers made her life bearable, so as not to be completely alone.

Some of these "timely" accounts are dated, but all in all I found it an interesting book. I'm glad I have it as he is one of my favorite broadcasters. The comprehensive index was helpful. I will miss seeing his friendly face on the nightly CBS news; he was the best reporter ever, and I hope he will contribute to Sixty Minutes. Maybe he can replace Andy Rooney?

Deadlines and Datelines isn't a regular book with a central theme or one message, or even chapters that are put together that have a plot. Deadlines and Datelines has many essays written by Dan Rather (and a few other people wrote a few essays in the book and are credited) that are based on his weekly news column and his CBS radio report. Basically Dan Rather has written many different essays that are about things like when his friend Bill Cosby's son was taken from him and how he used to watch the super bowl with his son and since he was gone he asked if Dan Rather could come over, he explained that you shouldn't be sad that his son is gone because Bill Cosby is famous, but because he was a great man.
A lot of essays have great meaning, and have some comical meanings, but he seems to write seriously, but he does when talking about comical things, like in one of his essays he talks about the v-chip which is supposed to be a chip which could limit what types of programs children could watch, he then gives examples of ratings that would be better than the standard: TV-MA, TV- PG, TV- 14. And another one he talks about how people have altered different books when they made the movies to make it more appealing to teenagers, with more things they are interested in.
What is so great about this book is that it has so many morals and messages, it really makes you think. Deadlines and Datelines has many different stories that talk about things that are surprisingly serious, and it is written in a way that is really interesting. The book hooks you in after the first essay because of the knowledge of Dan Rather and the life experience of him. He talks about some of the most important issues like an essay about how libraries are so important and that many Americans take that for granted, and how First Lady Hilary Clinton has been trying so hard to get many people to go to libraries again. But even subject that would seem to be boring are really made interesting through the eyes of Dan Rather in Deadlines and Datelines.
His different experiences are very enjoyable to read, because of how he explains them thoroughly and really makes people learn something, or makes someone care about something that he didn't care about before. And the truthfulness in his writing is exceptional, because his writing is very down to earth, and about stuff that could really moves anyone. His viewpoints are not at all bias, and really make for a great read.
-Austin R. Ardizzone

Dan Rather gives us his unique and very valuable insights into the most interesting news stories/topics/events over the past several years including the Reginald Denny case, the Jon Benet Ramsay case, the nature of customer service in America, Oklahoma City and corporate greed, just to name a few. This is a man truly in love with his country and the freedom it gives every citizen.

I take issue with the comments by the reader from Kansas City, Missouri. I thought his review of both the book and Mr. Rather's career was baseless and unfortunate. My feelings are more in accord with those of Hasselhoff. I have long been a fan of Mr. Rather's, and look up to him as a great role model young people would do well to emulate. His latest book contains many stories of interest and was particularly enjoyable BECAUSE of this particular "written for a deadline" style. I believe that both his on-screen personna and literary undertakings are topnotch, and I look forward to many more books by Mr. Rather in the future.

With all due respect to a man who has had a great career on television, I frankly am shocked at this "book". It amazes me how little "in touch" the author is with the world he has been reporting about all these years.The "Love Me Tender" Elvis story is corny and just plain silly. The "When Their Sixty-four" story is not only stupid, it clearly shows that Dan completely missed a generation. By the way, when WAS the last time Bob Dylan revised his thought "never trust anyone over thirty"? Dan, are you sure it was Dylan who said that?

This is the first book I've read by Dan Rather, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I never had the chance to read his essays in the newspaper or hear them on radio, so this book was a big surprise to me. I thought his collection of essays were serious,touching, and thought provoking. Sometimes they were downright funny. My favorites were his his essays on teachers, the Monica Lewinsky scandal, the last grandmother, and his homage Princess Diana. I also enjoyed his humorous essays. I never knew that Dan Rather had such a good sense of humor. It's definitly a side of him that you don't see when he does the news. If you're a fan of Dan, then this is a book that you should check out.