To Set The Record Straight: How Swift Boat Veterans, POWs and the New Media Defeated John Kerry [Paperback]

Scott Swett (Author), Tim Ziegler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008

To Set the Record Straight is the inside story of how an ad hoc collection of veterans and political activists overcame their opponents' efforts to silence and marginalize them, and delivered the explosive truth about John Kerry's past to the public during the 2004 presidential campaign. It is a story of justice and vindication long delayed, of an insurgent assault on the old media by a new wave of online reporters, and of the long struggle of America's Vietnam veterans to make their way home.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a definitive and page-turning recounting of what really happened, as told by those who were there to participate and give witness." -- Dr. Jerome Corsi, Ph.D, co-author: Unfit For Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry

"...a must read for journalism professors and students." -- Tom Maguire, Just One Minute

"...a remarkable and painstakingly notated historical account of the cultural war that coursed beneath the 2004 presidential election." -- Cheryl Chumley, Human Events

"...brilliantly and accurately shows how patriotic and courageous Swiftboaters told the truth about John Kerry when the mainstream media wouldn't." -- B.G. Burkett, author: Stolen Valor: How the Vietnam Generation was Robbed of its Heroes and its History

"...provides thorough sourcing, demonstrating that 'the story about the story' is as credible as the original Unfit for Command..." -- Dr. Henry Holzer, FrontPage Magazine

"...scrupulously documents the most dramatic story of the 2004 campaign." -- Scott Johnson, Power Line

From the Publisher

To Set the Record Straight is the inside story of how an ad hoc collection of veterans and political activists overcame their opponents' efforts to silence and marginalize them, and delivered the explosive truth about John Kerry's past to the public during the 2004 presidential campaign. It is a story of justice and vindication long delayed, of an insurgent assault on the old media by a new wave of online reporters, and of the long struggle of America's Vietnam veterans to make their way home.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: New American Media Publishing, LLC (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979984106
• ISBN-13: 978-0979984105
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,235,825 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even if you think you know the story, you don't without reading this book, January 26, 2008

By 

Kitty Crouch (Plattsburg, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Set The Record Straight: How Swift Boat Veterans, POWs and the New Media Defeated John Kerry (Paperback)

Every time the term Swiftboating is used to describe incorrect criticism I wince. To this date, not one statement made by the Vietnam veterans who went on record with their recollections about John Kerry has been factually disputed. To those who think they already know everything about this subject, Scott Swett and Tim Ziegler have the answer. "Not so fast!" This book, To Set the Record Straight, presents not only further revelations about the Vietnam era and its repercussions, but also an examination of the media's attempts to influence the election by suppressing the original dissemination of information by these men who felt called to duty in a new way. The book is compelling reading. It is well documented. It contains chilling facts regarding collusion with the North Vietnamese. Read it for yourself and wonder why those who have served with honor have been relegated to an inferior position to John Kerry, the man who still has not released his military records.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read, January 26, 2008

By 

Thomas H. Wilson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Set The Record Straight: How Swift Boat Veterans, POWs and the New Media Defeated John Kerry (Paperback)

Outstanding work. If anyone has any doubts about "Unfit for Command", and the motives of the "Swiftboat Vets", they must read this book. Balanced, fair, and thoroughly researched, this book will put any doubts to rest. I bought two, one for my friend, who WAS a Kerry believer.

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars riveting account, March 22, 2008

By 

Michael T Kennedy (Lake Arrowhead, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: To Set The Record Straight: How Swift Boat Veterans, POWs and the New Media Defeated John Kerry (Paperback)

I read Unfit For Command and followed the story in 2004. I also followed the Bush TANG story, which is discussed in this book as an example of the attempt by the MSM to defend Kerry by attacking Bush's war record. I notice a couple of the one-star reviews and comments here try the same approach. I supported McCain in 2000 and was aware that Bush was not running on his war record. I also saw a thorough examination of the Bush TANG story on a left-wing web site in the spring of 2004 that concluded there was no "there" there. If 60 Minutes has used blogger Kevin Drum as a researcher instead of ideologue Mary Mapes, they would have saved some embarrassment. That story is in this book. This book also details the slavish support of Kerry on the part of the TV networks and the major daily newspapers. That behavior, I think, contributed to the decline in ratings and subscriptions that threaten to make them relics of the past. It also includes an excellent description of the rise of the alternative media, which swamped the defenders of Kerry and even coined the term "a guy sitting in his pajamas" to describe bloggers. The history of the rise of bloggers is an integral part of the story. I highly recommend it for that and several other reasons. Other reviews have adequately covered the factual basis of the story and the credentials of the Swiftboat vets. The book is more than that. It is history and anyone interested in the role of blogging in politics should read it for that story. I bought several copies for Vietnam vet friends, including my brother-in-law who was an 18-year-old rifleman in the same part of Vietnam where Kerry "served." He will enjoy it.