The Interviewer's Handbook: A Guerrilla Guide [Paperback]

John Brady (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0805864660 | ISBN-13: 978-0805864663 | Edition: 1

The Interviewer's Handbook provides a thorough discussion of techniques, methods, and tips for conducting a journalistic interview. It includes many of the scenarios in which journalists find themselves in the process of conducting their work, including hostile interview subjects, elusive and deceptive subjects, using email for the interview, getting answers to difficult questions, and dealing with public relations intermediaries. It provides essential advice for journalists of all skill levels, and is a practical and insightful reference for anyone conducting interviews.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Brady, Ohio University, USA --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (December 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805864660
• ISBN-13: 978-0805864663
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,139,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Of special interest are the lists of ready-to-use questions, July 5, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Interviewer's Handbook: A Guerrilla Guide: Techniques & Tactics for Reporters and Writers (Paperback)

An ideal addition to any journalist or author's Writer Reference shelf, The Interviewer's Handbook: A Guerrilla Guide by John Brady is a compendium of instruction into the diverse tactics and techniques of acquiring and conducting interviews by journalists and writers. Enhanced with lively anecdotes, practical advice, conventional (and unconventional!) methods for approaching varied situations, dealing with "off-the-record" issues, securing colorful quotes, even what to do when assigned to get interviews with entertainment celebrities, business leaders, and influential politicians. Of special interest are the lists of ready-to-use questions for an interview.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Interviewing" = RDI (required daily investment), May 28, 2004

By 

Miriam Erick (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Interviewer's Handbook: A Guerrilla Guide: Techniques & Tactics for Reporters and Writers (Paperback)

While of us do not interview celebs livelihood-wise, we all need to extricate important info from others. Whether in commerce, aerospace, security, health care, or the "Plain Jane social scene", communication skills are vital to success. Interviewing is the art form of asking (artfully constructed questions)and active listening is an opportunity to extricate "more". Seasoned journalist/author Brady shares trade secrets. "The Art of Listening" reminds us aggressive listening can mean success or failure. Quoting John Travolta--Brady reminds us that "people are interesting...you just need to ask the right questions" is a real thought pearl.

For the socially shy- Chapter 22 "Best Questions" has goodies for cocktail chit-chat stuff. This book, sprinkled with wit, humor, insight, could easily change your life. Highly recommended. Easily digestible.

Miriam Erick/ Boston
Author: "Managing Morning Sickess" (c) 2004 (Bull Pub. Boulder, Co

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Witty, a pleasurable read, but needs some editing, March 27, 2005

By 

S. Jamal "Mr. Erudite" (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Interviewer's Handbook: A Guerrilla Guide: Techniques & Tactics for Reporters and Writers (Paperback)

This is a fun book and I highly recommend it to those interested in journalism, PR and perhaps even marketing. I am no journalist so I can't make a credible judgment on how good or valid his advice is, but from a layman's (i.e. my) point of view it all seems like it makes sense.

However, there are areas for improvement. Firstly, it needs careful editing. For example on pg. 147 he writes "especially if you invest is an expensive headset" ('is' should be 'in'). There are actually quite a few of these mistakes, the kind that automatic spellcheckers wouldn't catch. However, if I can catch them, others should have been able to also.

Another area for improvement concerns the focus on the kind of journalism that this book is most relevant to. For example the canned questions that he suggests, although valuable, are not interesting to me personally. I think these are geared more towards celebrity interviews, whereas I think it would be valuable to suggest questions (and give them a context) that are more provocative and directed to politicians and policy/opinion makers (how to get access to these kinds of people in particular) would be of much interest to me. As one who is interested in foreign policy and calling the government to account for its actions, I would have appreciated more material directed to this general area.

Still, I'm glad I bought the book and I probably won't resell it. It has many good topics and was a pleasure to read. The author is witty and has a good command of the English language. I definitely recommend it.