The Last Debate [Paperback]

Jim Lehrer (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Random House, New York (1995)
• ASIN: B0016D6EJQ
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An important ethical issue, August 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Debate: A Novel of Politics and Journalism (Hardcover)

This book, although its plot is a bit predictable, raises an important ethical issue: is the role of the media to merely report the news passively, or do reporters ever have an obligation to become active participants in the electoral process. In light of the current tabloidization of the news coverage in this country, there is much meat for discussion in the actions of the reporters portrayed in this book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well written, but weak characters, November 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Debate (Paperback)

Lehrer writes from the perspective of a journalist writing a non-fiction book about the debate. The style suits the story, which is not overly complex. But, the story is really just a vehicle for the greater issue: The issue of journalistic ethics and the media's role in our society.

Lehrer does a masterful job of looking at the issue from all sides, and I agree with the majority of his conclusions. Presented any other way and this book becomes a textbook instead of an intriguing look at the future of journalism.

The biggest problem with the book is that the characters are a little two-dimensional. The minority characters, Henry and Barbara wear their ethnicity on their sleeves. After a while, it becomes cumbersome. I got tired of hearing Henry, a Hispanic, compare things to tacos and say ole all the time. As for Barbara, everything hinged on her being a black woman.

Overall, worth a read if you are interested in politics or the role of the media in our society.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well written, but weak characters, November 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Last Debate (Paperback)

Lehrer writes from the perspective of a journalist writing a non-fiction book about the debate. The style suits the story, which is not overly complex. But, the story is really just a vehicle for the greater issue: The issue of journalistic ethics and the media's role in our society.

Lehrer does a masterful job of looking at the issue from all sides, and I agree with the majority of his conclusions. Presented any other way and this book becomes a textbook instead of an intriguing look at the future of journalism.

The biggest problem with the book is that the characters are a little two-dimensional. The minority characters, Henry and Barbara wear their ethnicity on their sleeves. After a while, it becomes cumbersome. I got tired of hearing Henry, a Hispanic, compare things to tacos and say ole all the time. As for Barbara, everything hinged on her being a black woman.

Overall, worth a read if you are interested in politics or the role of the media in our society.