by James D. Squires ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1993
A trenchant and disturbing analysis of the transformation of newspapers from gatherers of news to profitable corporate assets, by the former editor of the Chicago Tribune. While sometimes reflecting outmoded attitudes—journalism is ``an oasis in the desert of capitalism''—Squires writes from a position of authority. The successful editor of the Orlando Sentinel and then of the Chicago Tribune at the time it won its battle with the Chicago Sun-Times, he describes himself in these posts as ``probably the most corporational, the least rigid, the most likely to compromise in the interest of getting all the masters served''; and yet he has become increasingly concerned by the changes in the newspaper industry. When he was first named an editor, in 1976, the average editorial department's share of revenue was 13-15 percent; today it's 10 percent at a good newspaper. Newspapers, Squires believes, no longer compete to produce the best journalism—which he defines as the most accurate portrayal of reality—but compete for the attention of consumers: ``What people want to read, watch and listen to is now more important in the evaluation of `news' than any of the more traditional considerations.'' The rot began, in Squire's view, with the triumph of the views of Al Neuharth of Gannett, who began hosting dinners for analysts and touting the contribution of newspapers to the bottom line. Increasingly, the author says, the notion of the separation between editorial and business has disappeared, other than in a few family-owned newspapers like The New York Times and The Washington Post. The ``dirty little secret'' is that newspapers don't want circulation: They want advertising. Squires concludes that newspapers are becoming indistinguishable from any other business, and that they are losing the basic justification for their existence. A bleak view of the press by one who's in a position to know.
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1993
ISBN: 0-8129-2101-1
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Times/Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 1992
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More by James D. Squires
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BOOK REVIEW
by Rick Pitino with Dick Weiss ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 8, 1992
Will no doubt raise a few hackles, but Pitino's tale of doings on and off the court will be the most discussed basketball...
Star basketball-coach Pitino's candid and emotional account of the Kentucky Wildcats' revival from sanctions and probation in 1989 to the dramatic at-the-buzzer loss to Duke in the NCAA semifinals earlier this year.
The former New York Knicks coach, with the aid of Weiss (coauthor, Time Out, Baby!, 1991), tells how he took a disgraced 14-14 team to the Final 8 in just two seasons. The ``year'' he refers to (1991-92) does not begin until after Pitino ramblingly describes his unhappy tenure with the Knicks; discusses Kentucky's recruiting violations; writes of Adolph Rupp and the school's proud basketball heritage; and settles a few scores with rival coaches and the New York media. But once he begins to write about players such as up-and-coming sophomore forward Jamal Mashburn and gritty seniors Sean Woods, Richie Farmer, John Pelphrey, and Deron Feldhaus, Pitino offers an engaging game-by-game account and an intriguing behind-the-scenes look at big-time college basketball. The coach makes no excuses when describing bitter defeats such as the 107-85 drubbing by Tennessee on ESPN, or the upsetting 79-62 loss to lowly ranked Florida. The emotional ``Senior Day'' revenge victory over Tennessee, beating rival Louisville, and Jamal ``Monster Mash's'' 30 points against UMass in the semifinals are but a few of the high points in the 29-7 campaign. The season ends in style with a great seesaw, overtime battle as Christian Leattner, star center of eventual champion Duke, hits a jumper at the buzzer.
Will no doubt raise a few hackles, but Pitino's tale of doings on and off the court will be the most discussed basketball book of the season. (B&w photos—eight pages—not seen.)Pub Date: Oct. 8, 1992
ISBN: 1-56282-931-9
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1992
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by Sandy Troy ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 30, 1991
Brilliantly colored photos and a lively text explore the human body from the outside in: muscles, bones, inner organs, eyes, ears, and much more. ``Your skin is like a stretchy bodysuit just your size,'' and ``Your blood is a kind of cell soup...''—just enough information is presented to pique the curiosity. The author concludes, ``There's a great body inside this book—yours! Take good care of it.'' Many of the photos are color-enhanced and enlarged; body parts have never looked so good, though it would have been helpful if degrees of magnification had been included. A beautiful book with special pizzazz. Glossary; index. (Nonfiction. 6-10)
Pub Date: May 30, 1991
ISBN: 0-312-05938-8
Page Count: 288
Publisher: St. Martin's
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1991
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