Anything Goes

Anything Goes follows the reporters covering the 1972 U.S. presidential campaign between Richard Nixon and George McGovern. Timothy Crouse, a journalist for Rolling Stone, documents the inner workings of political journalism during this pivotal election season. The book examines how major newspapers and television networks covered the campaign trail, revealing the relationships between journalists and candidates. Crouse provides access to the press corps' daily routines, their competition for stories, and the technical challenges they faced while reporting on the road. The text details the evolution of campaign journalism from the traditional pack journalism model to a new era of political coverage. It explores how different outlets - from established newspapers to newer publications like Rolling Stone - approached their election coverage. The work stands as both a historical record and a critique of political journalism in America, raising questions about objectivity and the role of the press in electoral politics. Its observations about media dynamics and campaign coverage remain relevant to modern political discourse.

Readers highlight Crouse's behind-the-scenes access and detailed reporting on the 1972 presidential campaign trail. Many note his unflinching portraits of journalists and the pack mentality of campaign coverage. Multiple reviews mention the book's relevance to modern political media. Readers appreciate: - The humor and vivid character descriptions - Historical insights into campaign journalism - Raw honesty about reporter behavior and biases - Clear explanations of how news coverage shapes elections Common criticisms: - Some sections drag with excessive detail - Focus more on reporters than candidates - Dated references require context Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (90+ ratings) Sample reader quote: "Shows how little has changed in political journalism - the same problems of access, objectivity and pack journalism persist today" - Goodreads reviewer "The fly-on-the-wall perspective of campaign press dynamics makes this a fascinating time capsule" - Amazon reviewer

The Boys on the Bus by Timothy Crouse A chronicle of reporters covering the 1972 presidential campaign reveals the relationships, pressures, and dynamics of political journalism.

Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 by Hunter S. Thompson The account follows the 1972 presidential campaign through gonzo journalism that exposes the machinations of political reporting.

The Making of the President 1960 by Theodore H. White This insider perspective of the Kennedy-Nixon presidential campaign established the template for modern campaign journalism.

The Selling of the President by Joe McGinniss The book documents Nixon's 1968 presidential campaign through the lens of advertising and media manipulation.

What It Takes by Richard Ben Cramer This examination of the 1988 presidential campaign tracks six candidates through their personal and political journeys to illustrate the demands of running for president.

🗞️ The book's title comes from the campaign reporters' saying "Boy, anything goes!" during the chaotic 1972 presidential campaign between Nixon and McGovern. 📚 Timothy Crouse wrote this groundbreaking work when he was just 25 years old, while covering the campaign for Rolling Stone magazine alongside Hunter S. Thompson. 🔍 The term "pack journalism" was popularized by this book, describing how reporters tend to travel together and produce similar stories with similar angles. ✍️ The book served as direct inspiration for later campaign classics, including "What It Takes" by Richard Ben Cramer and "Game Change" by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin. 🗳️ Despite being published in 1973, the book remains required reading in many journalism schools for its insights into political reporting and media groupthink.