The Exception to the Rulers: Exposing Oily Politicians, War Profiteers, and The Media That Love Them
by Amy Goodman and David Goodman
ISBN: 1401301312
Price: 21.95

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Publisher/ Date: Hyperion Books / April 2004
Format: Paperback

Synopsis: Publisher Comments:
The acclaimed host of Pacifica Network's Democracy Now! challenges the corporate and political hypocrisy that has silenced America.

Her comments turned Charlie Rose red in the face. Bill Clinton called her "hostile, combative, and even disrespectful." Newt Gingrich said to her, "You're the kind of reporter I warned my mother about." Meet Amy Goodman, award-winning journalist and host of the daily hour-long talk show that is a beacon for passionate, critical, and hard-hitting news. On subjects ranging from the deceptions of the George H.W. Bush administration to the corruption of media monopolies and corporate influence over the government, Amy Goodman attacks and exposes the lies and hypocrisy that put democracy at risk.

Goodman has traveled the world reporting and speaking out in defense of human rights and offers no apologies for her advocacy. At lectures, rallies, and other public appearances, thousands turn out to hear her speak the truth. Now, in her first book, she offers her no-holds-barred perspective on world events.

Review:
"Journalist and radio host Goodman brings her hard-hitting, no-holds-barred brand of reporting to an array of human rights, government accountability and media responsibility issues, and the result is bracing and timely. Goodman isn't about to let anyone slide by with easy explanations, not even then President Clinton when he called in on her daily Pacifica news show. And she is fierce and tireless in her commitment to dig behind official versions of the facts to get to very different stories. Her analysis of Iraq War contracts won by certain key Bush campaign donors will open many eyes, not only with its neat comparison of donation amount with contract value but also with its bold presentation of 'Crony Connections.' A gadfly's life in these turbulent times is neither restful nor boring, and Goodman's perspective on events like genocidal massacres in East Timor and mainstream coverage of the Jessica Lynch rescue is both important and alarming. Instances in which newspapers like the New York Times and the Washington Post have published stories based on leaked reports from unnamed government sources only to have to retract the stories later as being unfounded allow Goodman to argue that sophisticated news management techniques of spin, disinformation and controlled access to sources are undermining the reliability of media reporting. How, she asks, could journalists 'embedded' with U.S. troops in Iraq be objective reporters of all that was occurring there, and whose interests were being served? These and other provocative questions power Goodman's stirring call for a democratic media serving a democratic society. (Apr.) Forecast: Enthusiastic blurbs from Michael Moore, Noam Chomsky and Arundhati Roy will draw the attention of activist-minded readers, and a national publicity and author tour should build on election-year interest in Goodman's perspective on government responsibility, accuracy in media reporting and the complex impact of globalization." Publishers Weekly

Review:
"[P]rovides an important forum for people around the world who are engaged in social justice and social change." Danny Glover, actor

Review:
"This book puts the pedal to the metal of all the lies we're told, day in and day out. Amy Goodman is a national treasure." Michael Moore

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"Amy Goodman has taken investigative journalism to new heights of exciting, informative, and probing analysis." Noam Chomsky

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"[A] very welcome and important addition to the dissident literature of our time." Howard Zinn, historian and author of A People's History of the United States

Review:
"Amy Goodman and Democracy Now! represent what journalism should be: beholden to the interests of people, not power and profit. Her work is invaluable." Arundhati Roy, author of The God of Small Things and War Talk

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