I believe the media has been hanging round and judging itself for so long they do not even realize how dishonest and unfair they have become. This book is another example of that. These people from the Washington Post or the New York Times or network news believe they are journalists but they cannot write a story without inserting their ideology into the equation. Their disdain for our President is mentioned page after page. I do not see equal unfair treatment of Obama. This is a poor excuse of a book. Two thumbs down, way down. ( )

5551. Overload Finding the Truth in Today's Deluge of News, by Bob Schieffer with H. Andrew Schwartz (read 12 Apr 2018) This is a 2017 book by Bob Schieffer, whose work for CBS television I have long appreciated. He tells of his work as a reporter and newsman, with attention to the politics of 2016 and the challenge Trump's presidency is to news people. He has good advice to reporters and discusses the challenge of fake news. Included in the book is an article by Donald Fahrenthold detailing his effort to find the truth about Trump's alleged gifts to charities allegedly running into millions of dollars, which also related the facts in regard to the infamous video of Trump's conversation about what he could do to women because he was so famous. The book is full of good information in regard to what journalists need to do in order that people will be well informed. ( )

First, let me state that I have the utmost respect for Bob Schieffer, his work and his life. I feel that the country would be greatly benefited if someone like he were to return to giving the news. With that confession out of the way, and admitting that my opinion of his work may be skewed, let me review his latest book.
Overload is about the state of the media today. Of how we, as consumers of the news, are overwhelmed by the amount of information out there, and coming at us, nonstop every hour of the day. Of how, being overwhelmed and not able to process all the information, we tend to find news sources that agree with how we see the world. "Some folks get one set of facts from one outlet and other folks get another set of facts from another outlet, no wonder they come to different conclusions". How "Americans choose their favorite channel (or website) not to get just the latest information but to get the ammo to back up their previously formed opinion. And it's getting harder to separate opinion from fact".
Schieffer explains his theory on the reason Trump ultimately won, and why Clinton lost. (It has to do with the ability to utilize the media more effectively).
He covers the phenomenom of "fake news", and the problems of combatting it (A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put it's pants on). And the pattern it follows; eye-catching headline, interesting first paragraph, relevant photos (often taken off the internet), a few quotes (often not real people), and a format that looks like a typical news site.
The fall of the traditional media and the rise of the new media. And he gives examples throughout the book.
He covers conspiracy theories, and why people fall for them.
I loved the book. I only wish Schieffer could be given a bigger platform to share his ideas. We need it! ( )