Deadlines and Datelines: Essays for a New Century

Deadlines and Datelines isn't a regular book with a central theme or one message, or even chapters that are put together that have a plot. Deadlines and Datelines has many essays written by Dan Rather (and a few other people wrote a few essays in the book and are credited) that are based on his weekly news column and his CBS radio report. Basically Dan Rather has written many different essays that are about things like when his friend Bill Cosby's son was taken from him and how he used to watch the super bowl with his son and since he was gone he asked if Dan Rather could come over, he explained that you shouldn't be sad that his son is gone because Bill Cosby is famous, but because he was a great man. A lot of essays have great meaning, and have some comical meanings, but he seems to write seriously, but he does when talking about comical things, like in one of his essays he talks about the v-chip which is supposed to be a chip which could limit what types of programs children could watch, he then gives examples of ratings that would be better than the standard: TV-MA, TV- PG, TV- 14. And another one he talks about how people have altered different books when they made the movies to make it more appealing to teenagers, with more things they are interested in. What is so great about this book is that it has so many morals and messages, it really makes you think. Deadlines and Datelines has many different stories that talk about things that are surprisingly serious, and it is written in a way that is really interesting. The book hooks you in after the first essay because of the knowledge of Dan Rather and the life experience of him. He talks about some of the most important issues like an essay about how libraries are so important and that many Americans take that for granted, and how First Lady Hilary Clinton has been trying so hard to get many people to go to libraries again. But even subject that would seem to be boring are really made interesting through the eyes of Dan Rather in Deadlines and Datelines. His different experiences are very enjoyable to read, because of how he explains them thoroughly and really makes people learn something, or makes someone care about something that he didn't care about before. And the truthfulness in his writing is exceptional, because his writing is very down to earth, and about stuff that could really moves anyone. His viewpoints are not at all bias, and really make for a great read. -Austin R. Ardizzone

Dan Rather gives us his unique and very valuable insights into the most interesting news stories/topics/events over the past several years including the Reginald Denny case, the Jon Benet Ramsay case, the nature of customer service in America, Oklahoma City and corporate greed, just to name a few. This is a man truly in love with his country and the freedom it gives every citizen.

I have met Dan Rather in February of 2000. He is a awesome, well-known, and journalistic anchor who's knows the business and can write a good story. So when I read this book I knew he stands out all the time with his award-winning writing!

I recently completed the reading of Dan Rather's collection of essays entitled Deadlines and Datelines. I found this book to be quite interesting for several reasons. One of the main reasons that I enjoyed reading it was because of the way it was organized. The book is compilation of a number of Mr. Rather's writings for his daily newspaper column "Dan Rather Reporting" and other short writings. Since they have been compiled over many years, none of them are current. It may seem like that would be a downside to this book, but I find it interesting to look back on what was being reported while the events were taking place, now that we have seen what actually happened. It can be compared to looking back over newspaper from several years ago to see what was happening in the world when you now have the ability to look back and put it in perspective. Another reason I found this book to be quite enjoyable was the wide variety of topics covered by the essays contained within the collection. Rather included writings on everything from such serious topics as the Oklahoma City bombing to topics as comical as the article on Texas "dumb bass" that are bread to be easier to catch. This is one of those books that you don't have to read cover to cover; you can pick any particular essay from any part of the book and read it without having to complete those that precede it. One of my favorite essays was one written just after Clinton took office. It featured advice for the then new president of the United States, which included 1.) Advising that Clinton give up cigar smoking, 2.) Suggesting that he give up golf, and 3.) Recommending that he get a dog. I particularly liked this one because it was hilarious to look back on what Clinton actually did during his term in office, and relating it to the "advise" offered by the author. The only downside to this book was that it wasn't really a book in the sense of being a novel or a story. Despite that, this assortment of short compositions did make for entertaining reading when I found a spare moment.

Dan Rather is truly an intellectual, one of a kind and scarce in America's "demoralized" media. Whether he is a conservative or a liberal, is regardless. What matters is that he approaches every subject with sincerity and broadened perspective. It is a shame that Americans don't recognize this "gem of journalism" (at its best). Considering their preferences of other newsmakers, we see a great need for morals in the socially underachieved America. As for Datelines and Deadlines, great work Mr.Rather. Please continue with your invaluable work.