Customer Reviews

My Turn at the Bully Pulpit: Straight Talk About the Things That Drive Me Nuts

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Maybe I'm biased but I've always liked Greta Van Susteren. She is one of those people that when she is on television, you are drawn to watch her. I think I feel that way because she is bright, articulate, and can engage an interview subject and challenge them without attacking them. Moreover, she can display a sense of humor and seems to have fun.

This book is much like she is on television. It's concise and to the point and most normal people should be able to read the whole thing in a few hours.

My only quibble with the book is that the title seems a bit misleading. While Greta does weigh in on a number of important topics such as patriotism, the death penalty, her plastic surgery, cable news, corporate ethics and even professional sports, she is smart enough to temper her views. She rarely jumps on the soap box to take hard stances on most of the issues.

Still I enjoy the book because in what she does write, she reveals more of herself. That works to her advantage because the same appeal she demonstrates on television comes through in the book. This is especially true in the last chapter of the book that provides some examples of the e-mails she has traded with viewers of her show.

This book won't go down as one of the most important books of our day but if you like Greta, it's worth your time.

Greta Van Susteran, from CNN and FNC fame, has written a fairly good book. At moments I really enjoyed the book, however, other chapters were quite boring. The book, however, reads easily and therefore, boring sections are not as tiresome as they could have been. This book, like other books of this genre, is often "choppy" because one chapter does not always natuarlly lead to the next topic.

There are some good things in this book, that take the less than satisfactory parts and raise this book to at least an average rating (although, one is probably better off waiting until the book is out in paperback). Her chapter on the Death Penality is, I think, briilant. She avoids the extremes, by paying close attention to real issues about poor defences, fair trials, yet deserved punishment. She supports the death penailty, but thinks the system needs to make sure it provides the best defence possible for all. She is not satisfied that public defenders offices are underfunded, while prosecutors often operate a larger budget in which to prosecute the case. Her concern is for the innocent person, but she also admits that the guilty must be punished.

Her chapter on Loyality" is also very good as she writes about her work at CNN and the FNC and her transition from one to the other as discussed by others. Further, her chapter on patriotism is also very good and she arguments hear, though said elsewhere, is needed (support the men and women in uniform).

The book is less interesting in other areas like her chapter on her plastic surgery. While I suspect others my enjoy this chapter and others chapters as well, I thought the pace of the book slowed and that its transitions from topic to topic were cumbersome.

All in all, an enjoyable read, though not a compelling one.

Greta Van Susteren's book "My Turn at the Bully Pulpit" is an excellent book. I started to read it today and finished reading it in one afternoon. It is very interesting, educational, has humor, but most of all is not boring and is straight to the point. I recommend this book highly.

This is a must read! If you love Greta on FNC, then you will equally love her book.

We've all seen our share of "talking heads".However,I always liked Greta,felt she was different and when I saw this book,I was hoping to find what separates her from the run of the mill.I was not disappointed and found that she was her own self and had well thought out opinions on many subjects.
I have found her strong asset is in putting her personal views ,or even worse some agenda,aside and asking good,fair questions and allowing the guest give their answer without being cut off when the answer doesn't suit the questioner.
It was also enlightning to read why she left CNN and I found her reasons were much the same as mine when I left CNN and opted for FOXas a listener.
Greta summed it up with:"I believe in good strong aggressive debate".
Greta was described as a no-spin lady by Bill O'Reilly and I certainly think he got it right.

As an admirer of Greta Van Sustern I was pleased when I received her book. It is a thoroughly enjoying read. Her intelligence and wit shines through.It tells you a lot about her world and background. Even though it is very educational it is by no means stuffy or boring.As a matter of fact it's hard to put down.Makes you eager for her sequel.

I had a great time reading this book. I found it insightful on the subject of the death penalty, tort reform, and loyalty. I am glad to see there are others out there who refuse to pushed into a left or right box. I wish we had more free thinkers.

I loved this book....she told it as it is and her book should be no. 1 instead of that Franken character! If you want a good read with no spin buy this book NOW!
Beverly in Japan

In the midst of the recent publishing frenzy in which mean-spiritedness and name calling are de rigueur, Greta's turn at punditry is a turn in the right direction. Greta isn't on a campaign trail, her stance is to champion common sense. This level-headed, dignified lawyer is able to talk turkey: she can take a complex issue -- the death penalty, for example -- and get to it's heart, in language that is straightforward, easy to understand, and even funny! (Her chapter on so-called torte reform is brilliant.)

If you are sick of screaming, foam-at-the-mouth blowhards, Van Susteren's book is a breath of fresh air.

I am a GVS fan, and I watch On The Record as often as I can. However, an accomplished lawyer/commentator does not a writer make. This book was not edited,(well or otherwise), and it shows in the first few pages when you realize that Greta has overused the word FUN....over, and over, and over. It is bland and boring. The fact that she had assistance in writing it is even more of an insult.
Check it out of your local library-or skip it altogether.