Rather Outspoken

My Life in the News

By: Dan Rather, Digby Diehl - contributor

Narrated by: Dan Rather

Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

This memoir by Dan Rather - one of the most pre-eminent journalists of our time - is told in a straightforward and conversational manner. Rather, - who has won every prestigious journalism award in his distinguished career - discusses all the big stories from his decades of reporting. This very personal accounting includes (but is certainly not limited to) his dismissal from CBS, the Abu Ghraib story, the George W. Bush Air National Guard controversy, his coverage of the JFK assassination, the origin of "Hurricane Dan", as well as inside stories about all the top personalities Dan has either interviewed or worked with over his remarkable career.

Also included are Dan's thoughts and reflections on the state of journalism today and what he sees for its future, as well as never-before-revealed personal observations and commentary.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2012 Dan Rather (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Just like a conversation with Dan Rather

As one might expect, listening to hours of Mr. Rather speaking is quite enjoyable, especially when you grew up listening to him in the evenings. I'm glad he read his book because it added emotion to the places he intended there to be emphasis. I always respected him as a journalist and now I know why one should respect what he does as his career. As humble as he is to describe his accomplishments, I know they were not subtle contributions. I was aware of his departure from the evening news and always felt like he was used as a scapegoat. It was the country's loss when he was replaced by people who do not understand how to communicate as well as he does.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about many of the major events that Mr. Rather reported about in the last fifty years. I was alive for some of them and recall them with my own perspectives as he recounts his. For the events I do not remember or have not already studied, I appreciate his in depth descriptions of what was happening at that time. He is a true journalist, an honorable person, and a pleasure to listen to.

Great story from a great man.

Would you consider the audio edition of Rather Outspoken to be better than the print version?

Yes. More personal.

What other book might you compare Rather Outspoken to and why?

I can't think of any other book I've read that reminds of his remarkable story.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed listening to his story very much.

One Glaring Omission

When Dan Rather tells in great detail of his involvement in covering the JFK assassination in November 1963, however, glaringly he completely omits how he viewed the Zapruder film on November 23, 1963, and then described to the CBS News audience what the film showed and described JFK's head going "violently forward." Not only was that blatantly false, but it doesn't appear to be an honest mistake because it is nonsensical that Rather has gotten it so completely wrong. Anyone who has seen the Zapruder film can't help but notice that JFK's head goes violently backward after the fatal shot struck him. Some have suggested that perhaps Rather saw a "different" Zapruder film and that the one the public has seen has been altered. That premise makes no sense because if a film existed showing what Rather described then it would have been released as the official Zapruder film because it would support the Warren Commission's conclusion that Oswald acted alone and that the shots were fired from behind JFK. Dan sold out. By the way, by his own telling, not long after his coverage of the assassination, CBS News promoted him to being the White House correspondent. Sorry, Dan, but you lost credibility by not mentioning this in your book. If anyone wants to see Rather describing the Z film in 1963, it is available on YouTube. 3 stars.

Speaking truth to power and the cost.

If you could sum up Rather Outspoken in three words, what would they be?

Wake up call!!

Have you listened to any of Dan Rather’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

Rather is rooted in the great age of journalism, He crossed swords with powerful corporate and governmental interests in his attempt to get at the truth during the G W Bush administration, and he paid a heavy price. This is a great story. Rather is a great man and a great American.

Rather interesting

What did you love best about Rather Outspoken?

Interesting life stories. Inner workings of CBS was interesting especially early stories about the beginning of network news.

What about Dan Rather’s performance did you like?

Well spoken

Any additional comments?

Clearly his gripe with CBS was the raison d'être for this book and grew longwinded at time. His overall life story and experiences were fascinating and worth the purchase.

Dan Rather's view from inside the news

Would you consider the audio edition of Rather Outspoken to be better than the print version?

The audio version offers a sense of directness and authenticity by hearing Dan's voice narrate his own story and views about the growth and evolution of news coverage in his life as well as his emotional reaction to the events he witnessed and reported. The chapter on 9/11 is especially moving.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the frankness and direct approach taken when dealing with personally moving events he witnessed first hand or when he had to tackle the CBS brass.

What about Dan Rather’s performance did you like?

Dan Rather has read news for many years and he does it very well - especially when he has scripted it himself. It just rings true, which I am sure it is.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. The book is best heard chapter by chapter to allow the listener to digest each stage in Dan's saga. I did want to soar ahead but forced myself to reflect.

Any additional comments?

There are moments of preaching but these are forgiven as they stem from a deeply felt desire to maintain a sense of news reported by and for people who care about truth in news and reject the predigested news we see so often.

Go Dan! Don't let the Bastards get you down!

Go Dan! Don't let the Bastards get you down!
Go Dan! Don't let the Bastards get you down!

Brilliant, thoughtful memoir by one of the greats

Where does Rather Outspoken rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Probably top of the list.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dan tells it like it was and is, with honesty & integrity.

Best book I've gotten in a long time...EXCELLENT!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Rather Outspoken to be better than the print version?

Yes, hearing him tell his story tunes you in to the real emotion behind it all.

Any additional comments?

I have great admiration for Dan Rather. It's never easy to go against the popular opinion but sometimes it is necessary. Dan is an excellent example of how to do that with grace and dignity.
I wanted to give him a standing ovation a the end of this book!!!

Enduring

The lessons in Dan Rather's story are as relevant today as ever. The warnings he offers in the epilogue are prophetic. Hearing it all in his own voice and cadence takes me back to my childhood and watching the evening news.