Customer Reviews

Feeding Frenzy: Attack Journalism and American Politics (New Lanahan Editions in Political Science)

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I read this book as a sophomore in college in a required social science course. Well, by the time I finished I had decided to major in American government. This is an extremely well done book! Sabato uses outstanding references that are very credible (think national newscasters) and, at times, funny. He allows you to see how the media can truly affect a political career (for better or for worse). This might also be a good read for folks who're thinking about going into journalism/broadcasting--it'll really make you think about the power you have as a news professional. I can't say enough about _Feeding Frenzy_. After completing four years of school, it's one of the few texts that really made an impact on me.

Today is taking for granted that the mainstream media does not display any tendencies toward real reporting. Well, back in the late 90s others were not so sure. When Sabato put this book forward with the revelation that the mainstream media many thought that he was being overly pessimistic. However, history has proven him correct. This book details what has made the media so weak today. Namely, it is the fact that the media seems to follow one another in reporting stories that entertain, rather than inform, that have caused the media to wallow in mediocrity. Simply stated they refuse to cover real news because others will cover more entertaining news stories. Anyway, it is a good read and entertaining at the same time.