Audible Book Review: The Smear, How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote, by Sharyl Attkisson

This is remarkable -- and disturbing.

The Smear
How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote
By: Sharyl Attkisson
Narrated by: Sharyl Attkisson

Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins
Release date: 06-27-17
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Politics, Writing
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Ever wonder how politics turned into a take-no-prisoners blood sport? The New York Times best-selling author of Stonewalled pulls back the curtain on the shady world of opposition research and reveals the dirty tricks those in power use to influence your opinions.
Behind most major political stories in the modern era, there is an agenda - an effort by opposition researchers, spin doctors, and outside interests to destroy an idea or a person. The tactic they use is the Smear. Every day, Americans are influenced by the Smear without knowing it. Paid forces cleverly shape virtually every image you cross. Maybe you read that Donald Trump is a racist misogynist or saw someone on the news mocking the Bernie Sanders campaign. The trick of the Smear is that it is often based on some shred of truth, but these media-driven "hit pieces" are designed to obscure the truth. Success hinges on the Smear artist's ability to remain invisible, to make it seem as if their work is neither calculated nor scripted. It must appear to be precisely what it is not.
Veteran journalist Sharyl Attkisson has witnessed this practice firsthand. After years of being pitched hit jobs and puff pieces, she's an expert at detecting Smear campaigns. Now, the hard-hitting investigative reporter shares her inside knowledge, revealing how the Smear takes shape and who its perpetrators are - including Clinton confidant Sidney Blumenthal and, most influential of all, "right-wing assassin turned left-wing assassin" (National Review) political operative David Brock and his Media Matters for America empire.
Attkisson exposes the diabolical tactics of Smear artists and their outrageous access to the biggest names in political media - operatives who are corrupting the political process and discouraging widespread citizen involvement in our democracy.
©2017 Sharyl Attkisson (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Review:
Sharyl Attkisson shares example after example of media manipulation and propaganda. It didn’t just start during the 2016 campaign and get worse during the 2020 election season. There are examples that existed years ago. However, the problem has gotten worse.

I was in journalism school in the early 1970s. We were taught to present the news with the five elements of “who, what, where, when, and how”. News is no longer presented that way. Somewhere in the last forty years the news moguls decided that it is not only acceptable, but imperative, that the news persuade the public to the bias of the news leaders. And it is not just gentle persuasion by the reporters  or editors but, as Attkisson reveals, there are those who intentionally use any and every tactic, twisting statements and even promoting disinformation, to smear those they want to minimalize.

Attkisson provides clear examples of smears and lies, including the names and actions of the biggest users (abusers). She notes that the propaganda and, more disgusting, the smears, are not limited to one party or ideology. There are offenders on all sides using these tools consistently although it does seem to flow more from one side. These tactics can be seen being used to influence public opinion, thereby influencing voting outcomes.

I watch primarily one news and opinion channel but I will watch other news sources so I can see how different the news is presented -- or sometimes omitted altogether. There are times I feel that there are ‘news’ figures (they are not reporters) who reside in different worlds. Sadly, to be properly informed, people have to be willing to search for additional facts and to read the text of actual bills to get the true information. Too many people are still ‘sheeple’ who will follow their favorite news guru without questioning the truth. As Attkisson notes, we need to be very careful not to take reporting for ‘gospel’ and to be aware of the bias of the news providers.

I was engaged through the full book and I recommend this to anyone who cares about understanding that there is a bias in news.

Audio Notes: Sharyl Attkisson narrates the work with a clear, engaging voice and fitting energy and emotion. I imagine this would be good in print too but I am glad I had the audio version.

Source: Audible 11/14/17 Credit Purchase. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goal.

Book Review: Chinook (Miranda Chase NTSB #6) by M.L. Buchman

I really like the unique characters and situations in this story.
Chinook (Miranda Chase NTSB #6)
by M.L. Buchman

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08QSPWHL2
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Buchman Bookworks, Inc. (March 23, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 23, 2021
File size ‏ : ‎ 1500 KB
Genre: Political Fiction, Suspense, Technothriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

When the fastest and most powerful helicopters in the US Army’s fleet start falling out of the sky, Miranda Chase and her team of NTSB crash investigators are called in.
One crash leads to another and they are fast entangled in a Chinese conspiracy to start a war. Only Miranda’s team can stop the trade war from becoming a real one.

Review:
Miranda Chase is a genius with autism. She navigates life in a unique and detailed fashion. Each member of her team – Mike, Holly, Andi, Jon and Jeremy – has their own unique foibles and skills which allow them all to work together, protecting each other and successfully completing each mission or job. Jeremy had recently had a quick and traumatic romance, watching his one-night love interest crash to her death.

Taz (aka Vicki) was sure she would be sent to military prison, so she faked her death. She has been working extreme jobs, now firefighting, and learning to live on her own for the first time in her life. She is alarmed when Jeremy appears in her world to investigate a Chinook helicopter crash near the latest wildfire. Instead of getting turned in, Taz is surprised that Jeremy and the team allow her to come along with their fast-paced investigation.

While Jeremy and Taz try to figure out where their ‘relationship’ might go, a Chinese leader is manipulating events in the background. This results in another Chinook helicopter crash right in front of the team.

This is the first book I have read in the series which means I was not familiar with the main characters. However, I was able to follow and enjoy the characters as I met them. There is a good mix of intrigue, emotional drama, and action that kept me interested. I have enjoyed other books by this author who does a good job delivering romance as well as suspense. I recommend the author and this series for clear intrigue and action.

Source: March 2021 from Author (through BookFunnel). This qualifies for my 2022TBR and 2022eBook goals.

Audible Book Review: Legend: Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1 by Christopher Woods

I liked this mercenary space story.

Legend: Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1
By: Christopher Woods
Narrated by: Marc Vietor

Series: Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 10-30-18
Publisher: Podium Audio Length
Genre: First Contact, Military, Space Opera
Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
2018 Dragon Award Finalist for Best Military Sci-Fi Novel
In the era of the original Four Horsemen, there comes a Legend.
At a time when Humans were just starting to venture forth into the Galactic Union as mercenaries, Martin Quincy survived long enough to do something no one else had - he retired.
There was only one problem: He got bored.
After battling aliens for many years - killing aliens and getting paid - retirement didn’t suit him, and he decided to strap on the combat armor and go back to the stars. Along with his old friend Kal, Martin joined Cartwright’s Cavaliers, humanity’s best merc company. Life was exciting!
But he got bored. Again.
What does a "legend" do when even the merc life gets boring? He starts his own company! Can Martin form a merc company out of non-merc races and stand up for the downtrodden of the galaxy, or has his long string of good luck finally run out? One thing is for sure - with Torvasi and Andori troopers, and a Sirra’Kan princess as his partner, he won’t get bored again!
Includes Shattered Crucible, a bonus novella in The Four Horsemen series.
©2018 Seventh Seal Press (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Review:
Martin Quincy found he was successful as a warrior, so much so that he is known as the “Legend”. Martin doesn’t encourage this characterization, but he keeps adding to it. He had retired but got bored and found himself back in the mercenary action. After a successful mission he is asked by a Sirra’Kan to go into business with her in a new mercenary company. They begin to gather a crew and suddenly find themselves with a whole race of fierce troopers.

The story initially seems a little light on plot but as it proceeds the plot line develops along with a couple of the characters. I enjoyed the action and the unique alien races. I found this entertaining for a quick enjoyable listen. I recommend this to readers who enjoy mercenary action.

Audio Notes: Marc Vietor is a strong narrator. He provides distinct voices, clear emotion and a feeling of action. I enjoyed the audio experience.

Source: 8/15/2021 from Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Sunday Post May 8, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 9, 2022

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

What Are You Reading? is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
I am finally back on line with internet reinstalled on 5/6/2022. As I posted this morning, my husband left this temporary home to be at home with Jesus last Sunday morning.
The trauma of grief has had us all disoriented and tired.
I will be working slowly to get reviews and giveaways (Friday Pick and Sharing Beyond Books) going again.

I had a lovely, if bittersweet, morning with family attending church with me this morning.

I continue to pray for the people and situation in Ukraine and for world leaders. I am adding Sri Lanka to these prayers per the request for another blog friend. 
.

We have had some heavy rains, but mostly our weather has been nice.

I have continued my listening over the last several weeks.  We are looking at the problems with my cell phone before I start reading on the phone again. Over the past two weeks I finished three audiobooks. I posted the Sunday/Monday Post two weeks ago, two reviews and my sad news this morning.

I am looking forward to starting to visit blogs again this week.

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30, 2021.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 24, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 25, 2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Inside Jobs, Tales from a Time of Quarantine by Ben H. Winters; Categories: Literature & Fiction, Anthologies & Short Stories; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Polar Vortex by Matthew Mather; Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0, Narration 4.25.

• Sunday News of Sorrow and Joy.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Keeper
A Novel
By: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Narrated by: Amy Rubinate
Series: Stoney Ridge Seasons, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
I decided on a change of pace and a “K” title in the mixed Audio goal.
Source: 4/18/17 Audible Sale $5.95.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Wild Swan: A Story of Florence Nightingale
By: Patti Callahan
Narrated by: Cynthia Erivo
Series: Audible Original Stories
Length: 1 hr and 54 mins
I enjoyed learning about this strong, brave woman through this short historical fiction. Source: 12/14/2020 Audible Plus Catalog.
About This Audible Original
In this captivating historical novella narrated by Tony Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo, New York Times best-selling author Patti Callahan Henry celebrates the life of the mother of modern nursing and one of history's greatest heroines: Florence Nightingale.
Wild Swan introduces listeners to the Lady with the Lamp long before she became a legend. In this poignant story, a young woman has just discovered her divine purpose to become a nurse, and struggles to make that dream a reality. While traveling abroad with her close friend, Selina Bracebridge - another strong woman living an unconventional life - a rare opportunity arises for Florence to practice medicine. Intellectually gifted with an advanced education thanks to her father’s progressive political views, can the daughter of a prominent English family defy Victorian societal expectations to fulfill her destiny?
Over the course of a few short years, Florence remains brave and determined in the face of all obstacles, pursuing her passion against her family’s wishes. From her parent’s luxurious countryside estate in England to her travels abroad to the German medical institute where she first began her training and fell in love with her work, we follow Florence during these pivotal early years of her extraordinary life.
©2020 Patti Callahan Henry (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Prador Moon: A Novel of the Polity, Book 1
By: Neal Asher
Narrated by: David Marantz
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
I picked this as the "P" for my Alphabet Series goal.
Source: July 2021 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
Neal Asher takes on first contact, Polity style. This original novel recounts the first contact between the aggressive Prador aliens, and the Polity Collective as it is forced to retool its society to a war footing. The overwhelming brute force of the Prador dreadnaughts causes several worlds and space stations to be overrun.
Prador Moon follows the initial Polity defeats, to the first draws, and culminates in what might be the first Polity victory, told from the point of view of two unlikely heroes.
©2006 Neal Asher (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Unbowed
Lee Harden, Book 5
By: D. J. Molles
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
I felt the need to pull in a familiar series.
Source: 10/17/2021 September Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
The United Eastern States has fallen. Lee Harden and a band of survivors have escaped President Briggs' invasion force. Their only options are to attack Briggs while his forces are delayed on the East Coast...or admit that they've been beaten and go into hiding. For Lee Harden, the decision seems obvious. But as disparate forces, factions, and loyalties begin to converge under the pressure cooker of all-out civil war, Lee is forced to confront not only insurmountable odds, but also the darkest parts of himself that he has left buried in the years since this all began.
©2020 D.J. Molles (P)2021 Audible, Inc.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Quest of Heroes, A & Slave, Warrior, Queen Bundle
By Morgan Rice
Publisher: Findaway Voices
Duration: 16 hours 28 minutes
I plan to read only Quest for Heroes at this time as a "Q" title.
Source: I've had this on Kindle since 2003 (it's still free). I picked up the audio at May 2020 Audiobooks.com bundle for $.99.
In the #1 Bestseller A QUEST OF HEROES, Thorgrin, a special 14- year old boy, the least loved of his father, learns he has powers he does not understand. An outsider, he must fight for acceptance as he strives to become a warrior, to join the King’s Legion, and as he falls in love with the king’s 16- year old daughter. Most of all, he must learn who he really is, and why his destiny is so important.

May 8, 2022 - I'm glad to be able to listen to my Bible reading as well as read it. I have to go back and watch the connected videos I haven't been able to watch since April 20 in the Bible Reading Plan: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I know it won't match my Hubby's reading but I wanted some different insights/devotions and I am enjoying the devotion video project. I am enjoying keeping up with my reading each day.
I'll look for a new study soon.

I completed two books for review. I have six outstanding reviews to post.
My NetGalley shelf is back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I don't have any author reviews in my queue right now.
(Plus a few that I received from facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

No new review books.
I picked my VIP April title before the end of April and used an expiring credit for Two for One deal at Audiobook.com this week.
I added one ebook to my Kindle TBR library today.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

May 5, 2022 Two for One Deal Credit use at Audiobooks.com. (I had to make a point to go online while at work before I lost a credit.)

The Keeper of Lost Causes
Author Jussi Adler-Olsen
Narrator: Erik Davies
Duration: 15 h 37 min

A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking
Author T. Kingfisher
Narrator: Patricia Santomasso
Duration: 8 h 30 min

Free

April 27, 2022 VIP free pick at Audiobooks.com

Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in an Age of Extinction
Author Michelle Nijhuis
Narrator: Christina Delaine
Duration: 10 h 28 min


5/8/22 I picked up one free kindle titles to add to my library.

Ancient Souls - Karma's Return (Ancient Souls Series Book 1)
by Elin Peer and Pearl Beacon


One Free title when I got internet again. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday News of Sorrow and Joy

A main reason I have not posted this past week is that my husband went home to Jesus last Sunday morning. He had been moved to the nursing home for care and rehabilitation on Thursday evening and I was spending half days with him. It was a terrible call to get at 6:40am Sunday May 1 as I wasn't ready.

The week has been disorienting of course. Heather has been devastated and been with me most of the week. I am thankful to have had help, comfort, and distraction with my sister who arrived late on Sunday and my stepmother who came in Tuesday. They stayed until Friday morning.

Our son came in on Tuesday and will be staying for a couple of weeks. Neighbors and church family have kept us full of food. We had visitation and a celebration of life on Saturday (May 7) morning.

We are sorrowing for our loss but we celebrate with joy because, as our former pastor wrote: "Bob is breathing easy in the presence of Jesus."
I am sharing (just a peek of) our memories here.

July 4, 1942 to May 1, 2022