Breaking News

by Robert MacNeil

Book Overview

Broadcast News meets Primary Colors in this bold, riveting new novel by former television news anchor Robert MacNeil--a scandalous tour behind the scenes of the cutthroat world of television... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 038542020X
• ISBN13: 9780385420204
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Nan A. Talese
• Length: 371 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.7" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

I've read i before

I found the book revealing and easy to read. The story is quite good, although Munro is portrayed a bit too one-dimentional. Having read MacNeil's previous biographies, I recognized many of the situations, especially in reference to historical events. I came away with the feeling that MacNeil drew heavily on his own experiences as a journalist. This book is not so much a novel, but an observation of the current state og network news, based on personal knowledge.

The News has become Entertainment

I've never been a fan of the Big Three nightly newscasts, and after reading Mr MacNeil's "Breaking News" I know why.The younger producers these shows now have do not understand the tradition of how news was (and should still be) presented. During WWII, Mr Lorne Greene was one of the readers of national broadcasts at CBC Radio. With his deep voice, and taking into account the sometimes overwhelming reports of how the war was going in the early days, he was called the Voice of Doom. These broadcasts were not for entertainment, but to inform, and I suppose considering the time, to combine the strengths of a nation towards one task.Today, it can easily been seen, the function of TV is to advertise. Viewers expect dramatic pictures, and feel good stories: video from the latest plane crash or which vendor on Broadway has the best pretzels.Mr MacNeil also presents in detail just how crazy things have got to when it comes to paying these talking heads. The newsreader HAS to draw the audience, not to inform them but hold them for the commercials. I guess that is one of the reasons I always liked the MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour on PBS. No commmercials and a whole hour of news. The networks should learn you can't present a whole day's worth of national and international news in 22 minutes.Mr MacNeil also shows us, from the inside, how the media makes the news instead of only reporting it. I don't want to give away anthing from the plot, but when one 'reporter' does an interview that became the news.Finally, I have to add, the concept of the Hollygo character was some of the most interesting reading. If there was any mystery in "Breaking News" it had to ber 'her'!

A very interesting book

I've read the reviews posted here previously, and agree with much of what has been said. But the comments of some reviewers are puzzling. You're right -- this book is not "great literature". But then, it wasn't meant to be. This is an insightful novel, nicely written, by an author who knows the world of TV news and has some interesting things to say about it. I found the characters to be believable, the situations engaging, the dialogue realistic, and the humour bang-on. This is, I believe, Mr. MacNeil's third novel, and I look forward to reading many more from him in the future.

a fast-paced expose of modern teeveeland

I loved this book! MacNeil write with piercing clarity of the world he knows so well. Food for thought, it made me want to race to watch the next newsbroadcast. I'll be searching for Brenda and Gregory Peck at 6 o'clock tonight for sure!

an succinct commentary on modern journalism

Macneil presents a compelling insight into the competing agendas in modern journalism. The struggle between the conservative,experienced Munro[perhaps a fictional Jennings],who prides himself on examining what he sees as real news & issues,and the forces of the market such as the increasing amount of tabloid journalism present on the main networks[perhaps a swipe at Brokaw],is presented in an entertaining dialogue. The intersecting issues,such as the rise of new talent,political infighting,and the role of media intrigue,adds to the reality of Munro's dilemma. Macneil's obvious inside knowledge of the tv news divisions and the stuggles they face with cable,news magazines & the internet make this book even more compelling. Overall,an essential book for any student of the media,politics & corporate backstabbing.