As a Missouri grad, I took classes with some of these dunderheads and was forced to buy their book. Ranly's great contribution to journalism is extolling the use of the word "that." Moen basically retired to Missouri at age 25. His goal was to brighten up newspapers after the "negativity" of the Watergate-era. Kennedy is a living ghost.

Just read the "humor" section. It's unintentionally funny.

This book is not fit to line bird cages. It one the reason so many newspapers are dull and lack substance.

A better book is Steve Weinberg's "The Reporter's Handbook." I'm told there is a recent edition. Weinberg is also a Missouri professor. Unlike the Kennedy, Moen, Ranly triumvarate, Weinberg actually is a great writer and journalist. He knows what he's talking about. Moen, et al are nothing more than witless windbags. (Read about alliteration in the cahpter on "creative" writing.)

Finally, I get my revenge on the dullards who make the Missouri School of Journalism the sham that it is.

With little effort, I have snatched the pebble from the so-called Master's hand.

News Reporting and Writing is an excellent tool for aspiring journalists. It is very easy to read and right on the money, as far as content. It covers everything from writing a catchy lead for your stories to a step-by-step process for interviewing. The book also has sidebars that emphasize the important elements in each chapter. I would recommend this book to not only anyone interested in journalism, but to anyone interested in learning how to write better.

While I can't actually comment on the current edition, I'd like to say that this is the same book I used 18 years ago in college and it was excellent. I still have my copy and refer to it occasionally when I'm covering an area that I don't handle often. The authors are from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, one of the top journalism schools in the country because most of the faculty have real-world, hands-on experience. This book today is used in hundreds of journalism classes around the country.

One would expect "George" Magazine to come up with something more thoughtful than this - but then again.... The editors asked 250 activists, celebrities (former 1950's bathing beauty/actress Esther Williams wants the USA to investigate the JFK assasination AGAIN (! )), and assorted individuals to come up with suggestions which would make the USA a better country. The results are depressing because of their simple mindedness, cliched and PC-like platitudes, shallowness, and the over-reliance on entertainment figures to fill this volume. Some of the suggestions here border on the grotesque. Some are so transparently cynical or sarcastic that they contribute to a deepening sense of malaise about the awful state of civic involvement in this country. Less than a dozen suggestions here are truly practical and would have any noticeable effect if put into practice - a dismal result. My guess is that the editors knew that few in the USA today would buy a book featuring truly thoughtful and well-educated contributors - so, bring on those rap artists and movie stars! A sad commentary on the state of the nation and the mental state of those who presume to be watching over the political process.

While the criticisms of this book are completely valid, I think it is an interesting change from politicans and political candidates being the sole dispensers of such theories.

Is this what Plato intended his "Marketplace of Ideas" to become? Problaly not, but I enjoyed reading some of the entries and actually found myself nodding in agreement with their suggestions. For instance, I was shocked that Maddona and I share some of the same political beliefs (you would not guess it if we were standing together because I am more grungy)

Because this book avoids mention of PACs and big donation, the stars are not special interests or big money in this book, but citizens who also want government fixed.

Granted, some of them are superficial and hence depressing, but I seriously doubt this is what Mackler and Kennedy intended. Both wanted to demonstrate that politics can be relevant and fun--without a degree in political science, law, public adminstration or another field. Just because I was facinated by the nuts and bolts of government, did not mean that others were affected the same way.

George magazine asked 250 Americans from a cross section of America's elite (comedians, activist, politicians, actors and actresses, rappers, entrepreneurs) to write about how they would make America a better place. The writings are sometimes comical, insightful, sarcastic, and often eye opening.

The suggestions range from improving education to becoming a vegetarian. Other ideas are taking mass transit because driving causes pollution and requiring men to wear lipstick.

In all, I enjoyed this book. It made me think about my daily actions and how I impact America, as well as how America impacts me.