John R. MacArthur

John R. MacArthur is an American journalist, author, and publisher who has served as president of Harper's Magazine since 1983. Known for his criticism of American politics and media, he has written several books examining U.S. foreign policy and military interventions. As the grandson of billionaire John D. MacArthur, he played a pivotal role in saving Harper's Magazine from closure in 1980 by establishing the Harper's Magazine Foundation. Under his leadership, the publication has maintained its traditional print format, reflecting MacArthur's well-documented skepticism of digital media and internet culture. MacArthur's international influence extends through his regular contributions to prominent publications including Le Monde, The Spectator, and the Toronto Star. He writes a monthly column in French for Le Devoir and was named a chevalier in the French Order of Arts and Letters in 2017. His major works include "Second Front: Censorship and Propaganda in the Gulf War" and "The Selling of Free Trade: NAFTA, Washington, and the Subversion of American Democracy," which critically examine U.S. government policies and media coverage.

Readers appreciate MacArthur's investigative depth and willingness to challenge mainstream narratives about U.S. foreign policy and media coverage. His book "Second Front" received particular attention for its detailed examination of media manipulation during the Gulf War. What readers liked: - Well-researched documentation of government and media relationships - Clear presentation of complex political dealings - Strong factual support for arguments What readers disliked: - Writing style described as "dry" and "academic" - Some readers found his tone overly cynical - Critics note potential bias in his selective use of sources Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: "Second Front" averages 3.8/5 from 43 ratings - Amazon: "The Selling of Free Trade" maintains 4.2/5 from 12 reviews - "You Can't Be President" averages 3.5/5 from 15 reviews One Amazon reviewer noted: "MacArthur presents compelling evidence of media compliance with government censorship." A critical Goodreads review stated: "Important topic, but the dense writing makes it a challenging read."

Second Front: Censorship and Propaganda in the Gulf War (1992) Documents how the U.S. military and government controlled media coverage during the first Gulf War through press restrictions and carefully managed information.

The Selling of "Free Trade": NAFTA, Washington, and the Subversion of American Democracy (2000) Examines the political maneuvering and corporate influence behind the passage of NAFTA and its impact on American workers.

You Can't Be President: The Outrageous Barriers to Democracy in America (2008) Analyzes the role of money in American politics and explains how wealth requirements and campaign financing create obstacles to running for high office.

L'Illusion Obama (2012) Critiques Barack Obama's presidency and examines the gap between his campaign promises and actual policies implemented during his first term.

The Outrageous Barriers to Democracy in America (2012) Updated version of "You Can't Be President" that further explores systemic issues in American electoral politics and campaign financing.

Seymour Hersh publishes investigative journalism focused on military operations and government misconduct, with extensive coverage of American foreign policy. His work examining military interventions and institutional cover-ups shares MacArthur's focus on power structures and media manipulation.

Glenn Greenwald writes about surveillance, civil liberties, and the relationship between media and state power. His investigations into government overreach and journalistic independence align with MacArthur's critiques of institutional authority.

William Greider examines the intersection of economics, politics, and corporate power in American democracy. His analysis of trade policy and economic institutions parallels MacArthur's work on NAFTA and corporate influence.

Christopher Hitchens wrote extensively about American foreign policy and military interventions from a critical perspective. His examination of media coverage during wartime connects directly to MacArthur's analysis of war propaganda.

Robert Scheer investigates the connection between corporate interests and government policy, particularly in military affairs. His work documenting the military-industrial complex shares MacArthur's concern with how economic interests shape foreign policy.