Robert Scheer

Robert Scheer is an American journalist, editor, and author known for his investigative reporting and political commentary spanning over five decades. He founded and serves as editor-in-chief of the independent news site Truthdig and hosts the weekly radio program "Scheer Intelligence" on KCRW. As a journalist, Scheer gained prominence through his work at the Los Angeles Times, where he served as a national correspondent for 29 years and wrote a nationally syndicated column. His notable coverage includes the Vietnam War, Watergate, and various presidential campaigns dating back to the 1960s. Scheer has authored multiple books examining American politics, foreign policy, and economics, including "They Know Everything About You: How Data-Collecting Corporations and Snooping Government Agencies Are Destroying Democracy" and "The Great American Stickup: How Reagan Republicans and Clinton Democrats Enriched Wall Street While Mugging Main Street." Throughout his career, Scheer has held teaching positions at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and has contributed to various publications including The Nation, Ramparts, and The New York Times. His work has earned him numerous journalism awards, including honors from the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Magazine Award.

Readers consistently highlight Scheer's investigative depth and ability to expose complex political and economic issues. Many praise his direct writing style and thorough documentation of sources. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex financial topics - Detailed historical context and research - "Eye-opening" revelations about government surveillance and Wall Street practices - Original interviews and primary source material Common criticisms: - Some find his tone too adversarial - Occasional repetition of points - Political bias in analysis, particularly in recent works - Dense writing style that can be hard to follow Ratings across platforms: Amazon: Average 4.2/5 across books Goodreads: 3.8/5 average - "They Know Everything About You" - 3.9/5 - "The Great American Stickup" - 4.1/5 - "The Pornography of Power" - 3.7/5 Multiple readers note that while they may disagree with Scheer's conclusions, his factual reporting provides valuable documentation of key historical events and policy decisions.

The Pornography of Power: How Defense Hawks Hijacked 9/11 and Weakened America (2008) Examines how military contractors and defense officials exploited post-9/11 fears to expand military spending and programs.

The Great American Stickup: How Reagan Republicans and Clinton Democrats Enriched Wall Street While Mugging Main Street (2010) Chronicles how financial deregulation and policy decisions from both major political parties led to the 2008 economic crisis.

They Know Everything About You: How Data-Collecting Corporations and Snooping Government Agencies Are Destroying Democracy (2015) Details the expansion of surveillance by government agencies and corporations, and its impact on privacy rights.

Playing President: My Close Encounters with Nixon, Carter, Bush I, Reagan, and Clinton--and How They Did Not Prepare Me for George W. Bush (2006) Compiles interviews and personal encounters with five U.S. presidents, analyzing their policies and personalities.

With Enough Shovels: Reagan, Bush and Nuclear War (1983) Investigates the nuclear weapons policies and Cold War strategies of the Reagan administration.

America After Nixon: The Age of Multinationals (1974) Analyzes the rise of multinational corporations and their growing influence on American politics post-Nixon.

Thinking Tuna Fish, Talking Death: Essays on the Pornography of Power (1988) Collection of essays examining various aspects of political and corporate power in American society.

Chris Hedges covers similar themes of corporate power, military interventionism, and media criticism. Like Scheer, he combines investigative journalism with political analysis and served as a foreign correspondent.

Glenn Greenwald focuses on government surveillance, civil liberties, and media accountability. He shares Scheer's emphasis on exposing institutional corruption and challenging mainstream narratives.

Matt Taibbi investigates financial systems and political corruption through long-form journalism. His work parallels Scheer's coverage of economic inequality and corporate influence in politics.

Jeremy Scahill reports on U.S. foreign policy, private military contractors, and covert operations. His investigative methods and focus on military-industrial complex issues align with Scheer's approach.

Amy Goodman examines social movements, corporate power, and democratic accountability through independent media. Her work mirrors Scheer's commitment to alternative perspectives and grassroots reporting.