📖 Overview
Dan Rather is one of America's most prominent broadcast journalists, serving as anchor of the CBS Evening News from 1981 to 2005. During his career spanning over six decades, he covered major historical events including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, and the September 11 attacks.
As a correspondent for CBS News, Rather became known for his direct reporting style and willingness to challenge authority figures during interviews. His coverage of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s and his questioning of President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal helped establish his reputation as a hard-hitting journalist.
Rather's tenure at CBS ended controversially in 2005 following disputed reporting about President George W. Bush's military service record. After leaving CBS, he continued his journalism career through Dan Rather Reports on AXS TV and has authored several books including Rather Outspoken and What Unites Us.
The veteran journalist has received numerous accolades including multiple Emmy Awards, Peabody Awards, and the Edward R. Murrow Award for his contributions to broadcast journalism. His influence on American media and political reporting has made him a significant figure in the history of television news.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Rather's direct writing style and firsthand accounts of major historical events. Many comment on his behind-the-scenes perspectives of presidential administrations and news coverage. Reviews highlight his storytelling of the JFK assassination, Watergate, and Civil Rights Movement coverage.
Several readers note his detailed explanations of broadcast journalism practices and newsroom decision-making. Readers appreciate his candid discussions of media bias and corporate influence on news.
Critics say his books can be defensive about the 2004 Bush National Guard story controversy. Some readers find his writing repetitive and his political views too prominent. A portion of reviews criticize his handling of certain stories during his CBS tenure.
Review Averages:
What Unites Us (2017)
- Goodreads: 4.3/5 (3,800+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,200+ ratings)
Rather Outspoken (2012)
- Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,900+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.4/5 (400+ ratings)
The Camera Never Blinks (1977)
- Goodreads: 3.8/5 (200+ ratings)
📚 Books by Dan Rather
Rather Outspoken: My Life in the News (2012)
Rather's autobiography covering his career in journalism, the controversy surrounding his departure from CBS, and his perspective on modern media.
What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism (2017) A collection of essays examining American values, democracy, and civic engagement through Rather's experiences as a journalist.
What Unites Us: The Graphic Novel (2021) An illustrated adaptation of Rather's essays on patriotism and American values, created in collaboration with artist Tim Foley.
Moving Beyond Borders (1994) An examination of international issues and global politics based on Rather's experiences as a foreign correspondent.
The Camera Never Blinks: Adventures of a TV Journalist (1977) Rather's first-hand account of his early career in television journalism and notable stories he covered through the 1970s.
The Camera Never Blinks Twice: Further Adventures of a Television Journalist (1994) A follow-up memoir focusing on Rather's experiences covering major news events of the 1980s and early 1990s.
The American Dream: Stories from the Heart of Our Nation (2001) A compilation of stories about everyday Americans pursuing their versions of the American dream, based on Rather's reporting encounters.
Deadlines and Datelines (1999) A collection of Rather's essays and observations about American culture, politics, and society at the end of the 20th century.
What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism (2017) A collection of essays examining American values, democracy, and civic engagement through Rather's experiences as a journalist.
What Unites Us: The Graphic Novel (2021) An illustrated adaptation of Rather's essays on patriotism and American values, created in collaboration with artist Tim Foley.
Moving Beyond Borders (1994) An examination of international issues and global politics based on Rather's experiences as a foreign correspondent.
The Camera Never Blinks: Adventures of a TV Journalist (1977) Rather's first-hand account of his early career in television journalism and notable stories he covered through the 1970s.
The Camera Never Blinks Twice: Further Adventures of a Television Journalist (1994) A follow-up memoir focusing on Rather's experiences covering major news events of the 1980s and early 1990s.
The American Dream: Stories from the Heart of Our Nation (2001) A compilation of stories about everyday Americans pursuing their versions of the American dream, based on Rather's reporting encounters.
Deadlines and Datelines (1999) A collection of Rather's essays and observations about American culture, politics, and society at the end of the 20th century.
👥 Similar authors
Bob Woodward has covered American politics and presidents through investigative journalism since the 1970s. His books examine power dynamics and behind-the-scenes events in Washington through extensive source interviews and documentation.
Walter Cronkite wrote about his experiences covering major historical events during his career as a news anchor from the 1950s-1980s. His memoirs provide first-hand accounts of reporting on the Kennedy assassination, Vietnam War, and Watergate.
David Halberstam reported on conflicts including Vietnam and analyzed social changes in America through long-form journalism. His books combine historical research with personal narratives from key figures involved in events.
Tom Brokaw documented stories of the World War II generation and changes in American society through his career in broadcast news. His writing style mixes historical context with individual perspectives from people who lived through pivotal moments.
Peter Jennings focused on explaining complex international events and American culture through his books and reporting career. His work examines how news events connect to broader historical patterns and social changes.
Walter Cronkite wrote about his experiences covering major historical events during his career as a news anchor from the 1950s-1980s. His memoirs provide first-hand accounts of reporting on the Kennedy assassination, Vietnam War, and Watergate.
David Halberstam reported on conflicts including Vietnam and analyzed social changes in America through long-form journalism. His books combine historical research with personal narratives from key figures involved in events.
Tom Brokaw documented stories of the World War II generation and changes in American society through his career in broadcast news. His writing style mixes historical context with individual perspectives from people who lived through pivotal moments.
Peter Jennings focused on explaining complex international events and American culture through his books and reporting career. His work examines how news events connect to broader historical patterns and social changes.