I've always liked Andrea Mitchell on the news altho I didn't know much about her past or her personal life other than she is married to Alan Greeenspan. She doesn't talk alot about either in the book altho there ceratinly is some of that.
The first half of the book I found particularly entertaining. Hearing about her early reporting days and alot of events I didn't know alot about made me look forward to reading it every night.
The second half I didn't find quite as much fun. There is alot more in that portion about her place in the news instead of simply covering it. There is no doubt these days to a large extent the reporter is the story. This is troubling but true, but less interesting, to me.
I also found the title of the book somewhat of a misnomer. There is some back and forth with a few presidents, but very little mention about world leaders, save for Fidel Castro. I was expecting more of that.
I'd give the first half 4 stars and the second half 3. Andrea Mitchell Andrea Mitchell has been in national news for over 30 years, and the breadth of her knowledge of politics and the news industry is incredible. A colleague of mine remembered her as a beat reporter in Philly, where she got started. Her description of the events she covered--and the skinny behind-the-scenes--was fascinating. Mitchell was careful to be as neutral as possible in describing American politicians, although for some political/newsworthy figures she clearly has no love. On the downside, the book ended abruptly with the I'm lucky to be a reporter line, as if she ran out of time. In any case, it was a fine read, and I recommend it. Andrea Mitchell Andrea Mitchell's memoir of her life and times gathering and presenting the news - even the night her husband, Alan Greenspan, received a phone call, at a party, informing him that Saddam Hussein had been captured. It was the next morning before Mitchell was awoken by someone calling from NBC before she knew. Andrea Mitchell written in 2005 covering many political stories and struck by how little has changed. Andrea Mitchell Well-written and interesting behind-the-scenes insight into politics and news events, as well as her own fascinating career. She's a remarkably driven, focused, smart woman! Andrea Mitchell
review ë PDF, eBook or Kindle ePUB × Andrea Mitchell
Andrea Mitchell started her pathbreaking career as the quintessential girl reporter and quickly became one of the first women in broadcast news. She's been labeled a pushy broad, yet her intelligence, tenacity, and ability to always be where the action is have catapulted her to the top of her profession. As one of America's most watched correspondents, Mitchell has regularly shared her observations with millions of television viewers for more than three decades.
Time and again, Mitchell has proven herself by taking on the tough assignments— starting with her first posting abroad in Guyana after the previous NBC correspondent had been murdered by Jim Jones’s henchmen. She has had unique access to all the presidents and their staffs from Jimmy Carter to George W. Bush, and here gives us her unvarnished insights into these men and those who surround them. Whether it was revealing that Ronald Reagan’s napping caused the delay of a space shuttle landing, conducting exclusive interviews with Fidel Castro, or accompanying Condoleezza Rice on her first trip abroad as secretary of state, she is known as the one to beat to the story.
But what sets this book apart is not only the unique front-row seat Mitchell has in the political world, but also the role she plays in the glamorous social scene in Washington. Her marriage to Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, has created professional challenges, but also given her special entrée to the “A” list drawing rooms of Washington and other capitals. Here she gives us glimpses of what it’s like to go from a 7 p.m. newscast to an 8 p.m. black-tie party, to go from being the reporter staking out a state dinner to being one of the invited guests.
Smart and candidly written, Mitchell’s memoir will be a must read for anyone interested in politics and current affairs and will also fascinate anyone who wonders what it’s like to be a powerful woman in a man’s world. Talking Back: ...to Presidents, Dictators, and Assorted Scoundrels
Very enjoyable audio book. Too bad it is abridged--parts choppy and transitions sometimes uneven.
Loved her voice and style. Good memoir of an interesting career woman. She is very fair and balanced in her reporting.
This was a great overview of current political events in my lifetime, starting from the 1960's to 2005.
Would love for her to write a second book about all the happenings since then. Andrea Mitchell Added 12/18/15
Andrea Mitchell's experiences as a journalist are amazing! There's a lot of world history in this book! Andrea Mitchell I thought this was an excellent look at the other side of the news. I admit I listened to the cd audio version that was abridged but it was still well told. The insider information that we never hear was most interesting. Andrea Mitchell Added 11/26/11.
I'm currently listening to the audio version of this book. It's a very frank and open memoir of her life as a reporter. I find it to be an interesting review of the current events which I've observed over the years. The behind-the-scenes nature of the book makes it even more interesting.
Addendum: During January 2012, I finished listening to this audiobook. I found it very interesting and it was nice getting to know about Andrea Mitchell's life. I liked her strong delivery. Andrea Mitchell Not only do you get an insight into what it takes to be a successful woman reporter, you get an excellent picture of some of the most influential political leaders and events of our lifetime, through Andrea's eyes. It was also interesting to hear how she kept her professional life and personal life separate and retained her credibility as a reporter. (She is married to Alan Greenspan, past chairman of the Federal Reserve, and often socialized with many of the people she was covering as a reporter.) This book is a must for political/news junkies like me. Andrea Mitchell