David Corn

David Corn is a veteran political journalist and author who has served as the Washington bureau chief for Mother Jones magazine since 2007. He previously worked as Washington editor for The Nation and has written extensively about American politics, national security, and government corruption. Throughout his career, Corn has published several influential books including "Russian Roulette" (co-authored with Michael Isikoff), "Showdown," and "The Lies of George W. Bush." His investigative reporting has earned him numerous awards, including the George Polk Award and the Worth Bingham Prize for Investigative Journalism. Corn regularly appears as a political commentator on MSNBC, CNN, and other major networks, providing analysis on current events and political developments. His work has also appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Harper's, and The Atlantic. His reporting has broken several major stories, including the release of the "47 percent" video during the 2012 presidential campaign, which captured Mitt Romney making controversial comments at a private fundraiser. In addition to his journalism, Corn has taught at the Penn State School of Communications and New York University's Graduate School of Journalism.

Readers consistently note Corn's detailed research and insider access to sources. Many comment on his clear writing style that makes complex political topics accessible. Reviews frequently mention his ability to connect dots between events and people in political investigations. What readers liked: - Documentation and extensive source citations - Breaking down complicated political scandals into understandable narratives - Timely coverage of developing stories - Balanced presentation of facts alongside analysis What readers disliked: - Some find his liberal perspective too prominent - Occasional repetition of points - Books on breaking news can feel dated quickly - Some readers note a rushed feeling in more recent works Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Average 3.8/5 across all books Amazon: 4.2/5 average "Russian Roulette" rates highest at 4.5/5 "Showdown" rates lowest at 3.5/5 Notable reader quote: "Corn excels at taking mountains of detail and crafting them into a coherent narrative that helps readers understand what actually happened." - Amazon reviewer

Showdown: The Inside Story of How Barack Obama Fought Back Against Boehner, Cantor, and the Tea Party (2014) Chronicles the political battles between President Obama and Republican leaders during his first term, focusing on the debt ceiling crisis and fiscal negotiations.

American Psychosis: A Historical Investigation of How the Republican Party Went Crazy (2022) Traces the Republican Party's evolution from the 1950s through modern times, examining its relationship with extremist movements and conspiracy theories.

Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin's War on America and the Election of Donald Trump (2018) Details Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the connections between Trump campaign officials and Russian operatives.

This Is Your Country on Drugs: The Secret History of Getting High in America (2009) Examines the history of drug use and drug policy in the United States, including cultural, political, and economic factors.

The Lies of George W. Bush: Mastering the Politics of Deception (2003) Documents and analyzes statements made by President George W. Bush before and during his presidency, comparing them with factual records.

Deep State: Trump, the FBI, and the Rule of Law (2019) Examines the relationship between President Trump and the FBI, including the investigations into Russian interference and related controversies.

Blond Ghost: Ted Shackley and the CIA's Crusades (1994) Biographical account of CIA officer Ted Shackley's career and his involvement in major Cold War operations.

Bob Woodward focuses on investigative political journalism and insider accounts of presidential administrations. He has written multiple books exposing government scandals and power dynamics in Washington DC.

Michael Isikoff specializes in national security coverage and political investigations. He has covered major political controversies and intelligence issues while working for major news outlets.

Jane Mayer writes about money in politics and connections between wealthy donors and political movements. She investigates dark money networks and corporate influence on American democracy.

Jeremy Scahill reports on war, surveillance, and national security issues through deep investigative work. He has exposed details about military contractors and covert operations.

Glenn Greenwald covers civil liberties, surveillance programs, and abuses of government power. His work includes exposing classified information about intelligence gathering and privacy violations.