📖 Overview
Stonewalled chronicles investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson's experiences uncovering controversial stories during her tenure at CBS News. Through firsthand accounts, she documents the resistance and obstacles she faced while investigating major political stories like Benghazi, Fast and Furious, and the launch of Healthcare.gov.
The book details specific instances of government surveillance, source intimidation, and editorial interference that Attkisson encountered in her work. She presents evidence about how her computer was hacked and describes the methods used to prevent certain stories from reaching the public.
Her account provides an inside view of how major media organizations operate and shows the relationships between government officials, corporate interests, and news outlets. Attkisson includes transcripts, emails, and other documentation to support her narrative.
The book raises questions about press freedom and the current state of investigative journalism in America. Through her personal story, Attkisson illustrates broader patterns affecting how news is gathered, filtered, and presented to the public.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Attkisson's detailed documentation of government surveillance and media manipulation, backed by forensic evidence and named sources. Many reviews highlight her methodical reporting style and specific examples of interference with her work at CBS News.
Readers liked:
- Technical details about computer intrusion
- Step-by-step documentation of events
- Multiple sources confirming her accounts
- Clear writing style without partisan rhetoric
Common criticisms:
- Too much focus on personal experiences
- Some sections become repetitive
- Limited scope beyond CBS News stories
- Could have included more solutions/recommendations
Ratings:
Amazon: 4.7/5 (2,800+ reviews)
Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,100+ ratings)
Reader quote: "She provides names, dates, times and places. This isn't conspiracy theory, it's documented fact." - Amazon reviewer
Critical quote: "Important topic but gets bogged down in minutiae of individual stories rather than stepping back to examine systemic issues." - Goodreads reviewer
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Behind the Story by Nick Davies The book exposes manipulation techniques used by power brokers to control media narratives and suppress unfavorable coverage.
The Smear by Sharyl Attkisson This work documents the tactics used by political operatives and special interests to create and spread disinformation through media channels.
Flat Earth News by Nick Davies The text demonstrates how newsroom practices and economic pressures lead to distorted reporting and the spread of unverified information.
The Image by Daniel J. Boorstin This analysis explores how manufactured news events and controlled narratives replace authentic reporting in modern media.
🤔 Interesting facts
📚 The author discovered through forensic investigations that her work computers had been hacked and infiltrated during her reporting on controversial stories like Benghazi and Fast and Furious
🏆 Sharyl Attkisson is a five-time Emmy Award winner and recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Award for investigative reporting
🔍 The book reveals how government agencies plant stories in the media through carefully orchestrated "astroturf" movements designed to appear as grassroots initiatives
⚖️ Following the book's revelations, Attkisson filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice for illegal surveillance of her electronic devices
📰 After a 20-year career at CBS News, Attkisson resigned in 2014, citing the network's bias and unwillingness to pursue stories critical of the Obama administration