All Books Not Fit To Review (more NY Times bias)

Fox News ^ | 11/16/2003 | William La Jeunesse contributed

[Qwinn]

The New York Times Book Review (search) is considered the industry bible of what

[Paul Atreides]

“I don’t think it’s a matter of shunning them because of their political slant,” said John Baker of Publisher's Weekly (search). “I think it sees itself as having the responsibility to pursue the intellectual zeitgeist as it were, and … not in things that it regards as comparatively transient in terms of political whims and currents of the moment."

In other words: the Jayson Blair-hiring NYT wants set the terms of what should be considered "intellectual."

The more the left tries to spin their bias, the more the reveal it.

[Qwinn]

I'm torn, actually. On the one hand, if they -were- shamed into reviewing books on both the left and right, it is pretty much certain that all left-wing books would get glowing reviews and all right-wing books would get slammed. I'd even bet money that the reason they don't review books from the Right is because they don't have a single reviewer on staff that wouldn't be instantly biased against them.

On the other hand, if this were to happen, it would probably be quite easy to establish a statistical bias (not that we haven't about 10,000 times already).

So, like I said, I'm torn on whether their ignoring our books is a good or bad thing for us.

Qwinn

[coloradan]

The Book Review’s editor said the paper cannot review every book and, like any business, tries to provide coverage that appeals to its readers.

In other words: First, we don't have a liberal bias. Second, all are readers are leftists and we're just catering to their wishes.

Never mind that (1) and (2) contradict each other.

[Prime Choice]

What else do you expect from the New York Times? They have no honor, no integrity, and absolutely no moral compass. It is not just probable that their bias will express itself in their book reviews; it's inevitable.

[Mia T]

the intellectual zeitgeist as it were...

I don't think it's a matter of shunning them because of their political slant," said John Baker of Publisher's Weekly (search). "I think it sees itself as having the responsibility to pursue the intellectual zeitgeist as it were, and … not in things that it regards as comparatively transient in terms of political whims and currents of the moment."

All Books Not Fit To Review (more NY Times bias)
Fox News | 11/16/2003 | William La Jeunesse contributed

 

The Zeitgeist (as it was)

by Mia T

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HamiltonJay]

“I don’t think it’s a matter of shunning them because of their political slant,” said John Baker of Publisher's Weekly (search). “I think it sees itself as having the responsibility to pursue the intellectual zeitgeist as it were, and … not in things that it regards as comparatively transient in terms of political whims and currents of the moment."

I might be willing to buy this claptrap if it wasn't for the fact you have dedicated reviews to some of the most insipient political whimmers out there, Michael Moore, and Al Franklen..... Sorry Times, but the great grey whore has no clothes.

[woofie]

Doesnt look biased to me

scarcasm for the scarcastcally challenged

[Qwinn]

"In other words: First, we don't have a liberal bias. Second, all our readers are leftists and we're just catering to their wishes. Never mind that (1) and (2) contradict each other."

Well spotted!

Qwinn

[Jackie]

On the subject of NEW books, I recommend LAWYER: My Trials and Jubilations by Joseph D. Jamail, the famous litigator from Houston who won the biggest lawsuit in history. I found it at Barnes & Noble.

[Qwinn]

Give us a hint - what was the lawsuit about?

Qwinn

[Qwinn]

"I might be willing to buy this claptrap if it wasn't for the fact you have dedicated reviews to some of the most insipient political whimmers out there, Michael Moore, and Al Franklen..... Sorry Times, but the great grey whore has no clothes."

It's not just the Times either. TV actively cooperates - I saw Al Franken on TV pushing his book 3 times in one week, and I wasn't even looking for him (Keith Olbermann was one of them, forget the other two).

The only conservative author I've ever seen get anywhere near that much airplay due to a book is Ann Coulter, and in every case it was to attack her. Honestly, Chris Matthews is the only guy on TV that will give conservative authors airtime semi regularly (he gave Bernard Goldberg's Bias a whole hour once too).

Qwinn

[Jackie]

Penzoil v. Texaco

[Qwinn]

Interesting. Ok, I'll check it out, thanks.

Qwinn

[MegaSilver]

“I don’t care if their standards are 'we won’t review anyone who’s just putting out, you know, a pop book that we consider not an intellectually serious book,'” said Coulter. “But, come on, are you telling me that Michael Moore, Molly Ivins, James Carville, Al Franken are putting out deep, weighty, intellectual books?”

In context, this was the best quote I have ever heard. Ann Coulter truly has a gift.