The Exception to the Rulers

The Exception to the Rulers is a 2004 exposé by journalists Amy and David Goodman that examines corporate media control and government propaganda in the United States. The book achieved significant commercial success, reaching #12 on the New York Times Best Seller list for non-fiction paperbacks in 2005. The text analyzes specific cases where media organizations allied with corporate and military interests to shape public narratives. Through eighteen chapters, it covers topics including oil politics, military operations, government surveillance, and media consolidation. Drawing from Amy Goodman's experiences as host of Democracy Now!, the book documents encounters with media gatekeepers and chronicles efforts to broadcast independent journalism. The authors present evidence from declassified documents, insider accounts, and first-hand reporting. The work stands as a critique of institutional power and media compliance, while making a broader argument about the essential role of independent journalism in a democratic society.

Readers value Goodman's insider perspective as a journalist and her documentation of corporate media influence on news coverage. Many appreciate her firsthand accounts of reporting from conflict zones and her critique of war coverage. Positive reviews focus on: - Detailed research and extensive footnotes - Coverage of under-reported stories - Clear examples of media self-censorship Common criticisms: - Repetitive writing style - Too much focus on personal experiences - One-sided political perspective - Limited solutions offered Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.06/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ reviews) Sample reader comments: "Documents important stories ignored by mainstream media" - Goodreads reviewer "Becomes tedious with excessive self-reference" - Amazon reviewer "Strong on criticism but weak on constructive alternatives" - LibraryThing review "Essential media criticism backed by real examples" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔍 Democracy Now!, Amy Goodman's flagship program, has been broadcasting since 1996 and is one of the largest public media collaborations in the U.S. 📚 The book reached #17 on the New York Times bestseller list, marking a significant achievement for an independent media critique. ⚖️ Amy Goodman made history in 2016 when she faced riot charges for covering the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, charges that were later dismissed and highlighted media freedom issues. 🎓 Before launching Democracy Now!, Goodman worked at Pacifica Radio's WBAI, where she developed her distinctive approach to investigative journalism. 🏆 The research for this book draws from Goodman's coverage of major events including East Timor's independence movement, where her reporting helped expose U.S. military involvement and earned her the Right Livelihood Award, known as the "Alternative Nobel Prize."