Customer Reviews

Outside the Box: A Memoir

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm a fan of memoirs, but this one took me by surprise It is one of the best I have read recently, especially from a contemporary figure who is also a journalist. It is a coming-of-age story, of both an individual and an era. It is an insider's glimpse of some of the most important events of the last four decades, textured with details that place them in fresh context and present the human beings behind the sound bites. It is a love story; and it is a guidebook that will help steer many people through unexpected crises. I bought it to learn more about journalism and what seems to be the weakening of many of its standards. It didn't disappoint me in that regard, but it uplifted me through what I learned about life.

The book may be a memoir of her life, but it really exemplifies the simple fact that Lynn Sherr is a smart lady. She's bright. She expresses so well not only the pain of loss, but also the joy of life. This is not only an excellent guide on how women can navigate the treacherous channels of a network news operation or business, but a guidepost for women and men on how to live.

I loved this book! She brought me into the world of women in the media. I felt it was a true coming of age of a young woman coming to New York and making it despite the overwhelming odds against her. She crossed so many worlds and shared her experiences with the reader. I think that this should be required reading for every young woman who comes to New York to make it in the Communications industry.

I have concluded that this book may not be outside the box-having just browsed an article of Ms. Sherr's in Parade- "6 stories of courage"?
In 3 of the wars covered- Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan- the U S has been weakened, not strengthened-
Thus I could not, on the face of it, recom mend this book.
Thousands of my fellow American soldiers and many more civilians have been killed for no reason, two presidents, or more have been disgraced-
And she is acting as if this was something to be proud of? Shame on you- you are a violence and war enabler. As a Christian I am disgusted by this kind of juvenile crap.
It throws everything she does into a kind of "I'm unprincipled and in writing for the money" light. Where do "personalities" get off on considering themselves spokespersons, writers, or knowledgeable?

Lynn Sherr seems like a awfully nice person, so it pains me a bit to say this: Her memoir is just so-so.

Oh, it's not a *bad* book -- Sherr includes some interesting stories of breaking into the male-dominated world of journalism, amusing anecdotes about her work as a correspondent for ABC News and honest tales of her personal life. But Sherr skitters across the surface of most topics -- giving readers breadth, not depth -- and many of her stories are rather tame.

For example, Sherr tells the story of election night 1980 when the microphones of the show's anchors suddenly went dead. The panicked director called on Sherr, who was only supposed to play a supporting role but whose microphone *was* working, to report some key election returns. After a short while, the technical snafu was fixed and the anchors took the helm again. This is a nice little anecdote -- but Sherr labels it "my personal triumph." Really? THAT was her personal triumph?

In another story, from a different election night, she describes how she earned praise for using a special-effects trick in which graphics seemed to emerge from her desk. Again, an interesting tidbit, but the way she goes on about it just reminds us of the shallowness of TV news.

I'm envious, in many ways, of Sherr's career -- she's traveled the world, met and interviewed notable people, and got to witness historic events. I liked the story of how she scored an exclusive interview with a Soviet poet just because he like blondes, and the story of her driving down the highway the wrong way to get to a space shuttle launch on time. And her descriptions of her and her husband's battles with cancer are heartfelt.

But she clutters up the book with occasional diversions that have nothing to do with her story (it's a memoir, remember). She profiles Geraldine Ferraro, recounts the history of the women's liberation movement and even includes a short biography on her husband's parents. The book could use some editing.

OUTSIDE THE BOX is no ordinary memoir. It is an empowering story of personal and professional bravery. The hairs stood up on my arms more than once while reading Lynn Sherr's witty, honest, and wise chronicle of her groundbreaking life. Her tenacity in forging a career as a serious female journalist, her passion for quality in her work, her courageous spirit in dealing with some of life's most personal and heartbreaking of challenges - these are the ingredients of a gripping memoir that is not to be missed.

If Lynn Sherr's name is immediately familiar, it's because she was a national TV reporter for over forty years, and her memoir OUTSIDE THE BOX charts vast changes in the industry during her tenure, from her beginnings in an industry reluctant to hire girls to how TV journalism has changed over the decades, both good and bad. Any with a special interest in either Sherr or journalism history should read OUTSIDE THE BOX: it charts many major events.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I picked up an advance copy at BEA where Lynn gave a fascinating talk. Reading the book I noted an error on page 142 which I intended to alert the editor about, but never did. Alas recently in a bookstore I checked and the error is still there.
She writes on page 142 about covering the 1980 Republican convention as follows: "Ronald Reagan had the nomination sewed up, and the only question was his selection of a vice presidential running mate, who turned out to be Bob Dole."
Nevertheless I give the book four stars for the writing style and insigts into the 4th estate.

It was a great book..until the death of her husband.

"there were a few people who disappointed me, individuals who have made it onto a short list of people now permanently deleted from my date book."

*These were people who failed to get in touch with her following the death of her husband. Mostly because they did not know what to say.

She follows with "a little reminder for anyone who knows anyone who is dealing with loss: Death is not about you, and if you cant get out of yourself enough to offer some solace, you shouldnt call yourself a friend."

As the only survivor of a house fire, I find her attitude very holier-than-thou. I would rather someone say nothing than to say something inappropriate.

I just couldnt make it through the book after reading this.

Dear Ms Sherr,
Everyone is this life suffers loss. Your experiances are NORMAL. To believe otherwise is naive. Do you know how many people would get down on their hands and knees just to have your amount of suffering? Next time you have a pity party...do me a favor...write a letter to Jessica Lunsford's father.

Yuck.