Bob Schieffer's America

By Bob Schieffer

Book Overview

Wise, rueful, candid, graceful commentaries from one of journalismas most stylish and respected writers. With his critically acclaimed bestselling memoir, This Just In, Bob Schieffer proved a natural storyteller, a gifted writer able to capture current affairs, television newsaand himselfawith remarkable wit and insight. It is a gift he has also been able to bring to his awardwinning commentaries for Face the Nation, No one had done commentaries for CBS since Eric Sevareidas retirement in 1977, when, in April 1994, Schieffer decided his show that week on the death of Richard Nixon needed a few closing words to put the subject into context. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, and he has been doing them ever since. Bob Schiefferas America brings together 168 of his best essays, pieces that cover a broad range: from the hard issues of today to the human stories that show us who we are; from politics and presidents and tragedy to the things that touch us, make us laugh, or reveal the small shifts in our culture that sometimes just creep up on us. Smart, humorous, commonsensical, pitch-perfectasometimes bitingly critical and plainspoken, other times suffused with wonder or delightathese essays speak to us all. aMy objective, a says Schieffer, ahas never been to convert someone to my way of thinking, but merely to provoke thought, to explain a complicated subject, or to call attention to a human foible. The greatest compliment to me is not when viewers write to say they agree with my conclusion, but when they say, aI really never thought of it that way before.aa In addition to these outstanding essays, Schieffer has written a wealth of brand-newmaterialaacommentaries on my commentariesaathat run throughout the book, offering further anecdotes, reflections, updates, and insights. In all, it is as Jim Lehrer described This Just In: aA delight, a joyaa treasure.a

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039915518X
• ISBN13: 9780399155185
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Putnam Adult
• Length: 278 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Vignettes from the life of Mr. Schieffer

We purchased this book in lieu of a speaking engagement with Bob Schieffer. It was a surprise because I was expecting an autobiographical series of his life experiences, but what we received was a delightful series of brief and sometimes hilarious encounters with forty years worth of celebraties and powerful individuals. The chapter titles indicate in what way these individuals are connected. This is an amazingly fast read. I hope you enjoy it as we did.

Thought provoking...

Bob Schieffer's America, a collection of essays, serves as a fascinating and thought provoking window into our lives and those things we sometimes take for granted. Mr. Schieffer is a gifted writer and, clearly, a journalist of the highest order. His insight into the workings of our government is neither partisan nor apologetic. He simply "calls it as he sees it". I have always admired his interviewing skills on CBS's Face the Nation and they are justly matched by his writing skills for which I am not surprised. After reading America, my admiration and respect for Mr. Schieffer increased exponentially; he is definitely someone on my short list of people I would like to meet and share a conversation. Jeffry W. Gauthier North Liberty, Iowa Bob Schieffer's America

A great book

I have a lot of respect for Bob Schieffer as he usually "tells it like it is". I found his new book, Bob Schieffer's America,to be honest, straight-forward, and quite often his humor would shine through. Since I don't watch all of his programs on TV, a lot of the material was new to me. I would consider this a book of moments in history as seen through his eyes, telling it like it is.

Bob Schieffer's America

I enjoyed "America" very much as I got to go to a signing and met Bob Schieffer in person and hear his speech. He is certainly a very interesting Author and newsman.

Fabulous Wonderful Witty Intelligent Happy funny sad and just GREAT

These are the essays Mr. Scheiffer says at the end of his program. They are ad libbed for the most part. They are witty, and oh so beautiful. Things about America, rural, urban... things about race, sports, media, just everything. It is the way he has ended his program for about five years when he did it once for someone. This will be #1. No matter where you stand politically, this book is one you can pick up anywhere and read one page and laugh or cry and put it down. It is marvelous and Thank you Mr. S finally. We have been asking for this book. Thank you. Buy it if you love America. Buy it if you love short little essays on people and feelings. JUST BUY IT!!!! sally