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Enemy of the People: Trump's War on the Press, the New McCarthyism, and the Threat to American Democracy
MP3 CD Format Shortly after assuming office in January 2017, President Donald Trump accused the press of being an "enemy of the American people." Attacks on the media had been a hallmark of Trump's presidential campaign, but this charge marked a dramatic turning language like this ventured into dangerous territory. Twentieth-century dictators—notably, Stalin, Hitler, and Mao—had all denounced their critics, especially the press, as "enemies of the people." Their goal was to delegitimize the work of the press as "fake news" and create confusion in the public mind about what's real and what isn't; what can be trusted and what can't be.
That, it seems, is also Trump's goal. In Enemy of the People , Marvin Kalb, an award-winning American journalist with more than six decades of experience both as a journalist and media observer, writes with passion about why we should fear for the future of American democracy because of the unrelenting attacks by the Trump administration on the press.
As his new book shows, the press has been a bulwark in the defense of democracy. Kalb writes about Edward R. Murrow's courageous reporting on Senator Joseph McCarthy's "red scare" theatrics in the early 1950's, which led to McCarthy's demise.
That, it seems, is also Trump's goal. In Enemy of the People , Marvin Kalb, an award-winning American journalist with more than six decades of experience both as a journalist and media observer, writes with passion about why we should fear for the future of American democracy because of the unrelenting attacks by the Trump administration on the press.
As his new book shows, the press has been a bulwark in the defense of democracy. Kalb writes about Edward R. Murrow's courageous reporting on Senator Joseph McCarthy's "red scare" theatrics in the early 1950's, which led to McCarthy's demise.
1 pages, Audio CD
Published March 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 2, 2018
I was surprised to see how few ratings and reviews of this book there are on Goodreads (four ratings and no reviews when I started it) especially considering its subject and author. Marvin Kalb is certainly a well known journalist. I learned about the book when Kalb was interviewed about it on a TV news show.
In my Kindle edition Chapter Three had no numbers. Dates and quantities were simply omitted. So what was the tariff percentage on steel imports? And when did Donald Trump say such and such? And I came across a couple of other editing errors.
It isn't a great read, but interesting enough. Much of the book is a history of the McCarthy era and a biography of Edward R Murrow. Kalb compares Trump to McCarthy and clearly is an admirer of Murrow. The book ends with: "And so, with all due respect to the office you hold, Mr. President, the “enemy of the people” is not the press. It is you."
3.5/5
In my Kindle edition Chapter Three had no numbers. Dates and quantities were simply omitted. So what was the tariff percentage on steel imports? And when did Donald Trump say such and such? And I came across a couple of other editing errors.
It isn't a great read, but interesting enough. Much of the book is a history of the McCarthy era and a biography of Edward R Murrow. Kalb compares Trump to McCarthy and clearly is an admirer of Murrow. The book ends with: "And so, with all due respect to the office you hold, Mr. President, the “enemy of the people” is not the press. It is you."
3.5/5
December 9, 2018
Highly respected veteran newsman Marvin Kalb gives history of terminology the present resident of the White House uses in addition to comparing him to a past member of government who originally had many supporters and a few denouncers only to fall from grace - Joseph McCarthy. Some of McCarthy's quotes sound very familiar to those who listen to 45. Both men were taught about handling controversies by the same man, Ray Cohn.
Interesting. Very interesting.
Interesting. Very interesting.
September 8, 2019
Brilliant. A timely and powerful work by Kalb.
December 4, 2018
I'd heard an interview with the author of this on one of my political podcasts and it sounded interesting so I picked it up. Kalb highlights the obvious similarities between McCarthyism and Trumpism, gives an interesting history lesson, and some words of wisdom and caution for the future. For any that doubt that the Press is important and necessary in the modern era, read this book and learn the error in thy ways.
August 30, 2025
In keeping with the general theme of B. H. Liddell Hart’s, Why Don’t We Learn From History, I decided to read Marvin Kalb's, Enemy Of The People. It seems that Trump is working overtime to remake our country into an image generated from the clouded depths deep within his warped mind; he has done something every single day of his second term that has literally made a mockery of our cherished pillars of democracy. In doing so, the apprentice dictator is playing with fire; the vast majority of our citizenry may not be able to quote the Constitution word for word from memory, but they do know where they live. To borrow from the vernacular of my native South, most Americans don’t “cotton to some ‘so an so' takin' away their freedom.” In other words, someone who plays with fire will eventually get burned.
Mr. Kalb began Enemy Of The People by explaining the history of his title; he ends his book with the revelation the enemy of the people is not the press ... it is Donald Trump. The author compares Trump to some of the more notorious characters of the twentieth century, namely Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Nixon, and specifically, Joseph McCarthy, the senator from Wisconsin who has the dubious honor of his name forever being associated with an unscrupulous derivative that describes a demagogic, reckless and unsubstantiated attack on an individual’s character.1 Kalb uses the term “creeping authoritarianism” to describe the motivation of these dubious characters, while relentlessly comparing Trump to the junior senator from Wisconsin. In many ways, Trump is a reincarnation of McCarthy; both men served only their inflated ego's … a character trait, which if present in a demagogic politician, who acts out his role on a national stage, could result in the destruction of our democracy.
Joseph McCarthy was brought down by an iconic member of the press, but Kalb doubts if the press is up to the task 62 years later with regards to Trump.3 I think he is correct in his assumption; one evening of watching Fox News, the most watched national news broadcast, will prove that his observation is “right on.” With that being said, the governor of California seems to be assuming the role once championed by a major TV news organization. To use a baseball analogy, Gavin Newsom seems to be “stepping up to the plate.”
Kalb sees TV journalism of today far removed from the realm it occupied in the early 1950's; unfortunately, the American people cannot depend on an iconic member of the media to come through and expose the current resident of the White House for what he is, a dangerous and delusional demagogue who is a “malignant narcissist,” suffering from a psychological ailment that impedes his ability to reach rational decisions. He is drunk with power, and enjoys the tumult and confusion of which he creates.2 Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell of MSNBC, although constrained by the corporate “big wigs” of that network's parent company, NBC Universal, itself a subsidiary of Comcast, have a decent shot at accomplishing what Morrow accomplished at CBS in 1954, but there are significant differences in their approaches and the media landscape they inhabit.3 Their efforts may not be enough, but perhaps a popular West Coast governor can take the lead in exposing Trump for what he is and help to “git it done.” Governor Newsom seems to be making decent progress in the early going, 430 days before the crucial midterm elections of 2026.
Former CBS and NBC News correspondent, Marvin Kalb wrote Enemy Of The People in 2018, two years after Trump won his first term; seven years later, after the conclusion of the real estate mogul's first term and a brief interlude with Joe Biden at the helm, Kalb’s exceptional treatise continues to be relevant eight months into the 47th president's second term. In fact his book is more relevant today than it was almost a decade ago when Mr. Kalb was asked by the director of the Brookings Institution Press to write it. Kalb was concerned with the importance of a free press in a free society, his book naturally hinged on the current president, who, as mentioned earlier, “was working overtime to remake our country into an image generated from the clouded depths deep within his warped mind.” Trump's character is displayed front and center in his book, illustrated by the words Kalb penned seven years ago; Enemy Of The People needs no sequel; it remains relevant today.
Enemy Of The People also pulled no punches regarding Donald Trump’s character and his warped sense of reality. It was authored by one of the best writers of all things political for 60-plus years; it should be required reading for every sitting member of Congress and the judiciary, and is worthy of its five-star rating. Finally, the “average American” should read Marvin Kalb’s Enemy Of The People … as an “enemy of the people,” Donald Trump is that dangerous. *****
1. AI chatbot, “Gemini.”
2. Enemy Of The People; Part Ten, p. 147
3. Enemy Of The People was written in 2018, 64 years after Murrow’s broadcast of March 9, 1954. The broadcast aired on Murrow’s “See it Now” program as an episode titled, “A Report on Senator Joseph McCarthy.”
Mr. Kalb began Enemy Of The People by explaining the history of his title; he ends his book with the revelation the enemy of the people is not the press ... it is Donald Trump. The author compares Trump to some of the more notorious characters of the twentieth century, namely Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Nixon, and specifically, Joseph McCarthy, the senator from Wisconsin who has the dubious honor of his name forever being associated with an unscrupulous derivative that describes a demagogic, reckless and unsubstantiated attack on an individual’s character.1 Kalb uses the term “creeping authoritarianism” to describe the motivation of these dubious characters, while relentlessly comparing Trump to the junior senator from Wisconsin. In many ways, Trump is a reincarnation of McCarthy; both men served only their inflated ego's … a character trait, which if present in a demagogic politician, who acts out his role on a national stage, could result in the destruction of our democracy.
Joseph McCarthy was brought down by an iconic member of the press, but Kalb doubts if the press is up to the task 62 years later with regards to Trump.3 I think he is correct in his assumption; one evening of watching Fox News, the most watched national news broadcast, will prove that his observation is “right on.” With that being said, the governor of California seems to be assuming the role once championed by a major TV news organization. To use a baseball analogy, Gavin Newsom seems to be “stepping up to the plate.”
Kalb sees TV journalism of today far removed from the realm it occupied in the early 1950's; unfortunately, the American people cannot depend on an iconic member of the media to come through and expose the current resident of the White House for what he is, a dangerous and delusional demagogue who is a “malignant narcissist,” suffering from a psychological ailment that impedes his ability to reach rational decisions. He is drunk with power, and enjoys the tumult and confusion of which he creates.2 Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell of MSNBC, although constrained by the corporate “big wigs” of that network's parent company, NBC Universal, itself a subsidiary of Comcast, have a decent shot at accomplishing what Morrow accomplished at CBS in 1954, but there are significant differences in their approaches and the media landscape they inhabit.3 Their efforts may not be enough, but perhaps a popular West Coast governor can take the lead in exposing Trump for what he is and help to “git it done.” Governor Newsom seems to be making decent progress in the early going, 430 days before the crucial midterm elections of 2026.
Former CBS and NBC News correspondent, Marvin Kalb wrote Enemy Of The People in 2018, two years after Trump won his first term; seven years later, after the conclusion of the real estate mogul's first term and a brief interlude with Joe Biden at the helm, Kalb’s exceptional treatise continues to be relevant eight months into the 47th president's second term. In fact his book is more relevant today than it was almost a decade ago when Mr. Kalb was asked by the director of the Brookings Institution Press to write it. Kalb was concerned with the importance of a free press in a free society, his book naturally hinged on the current president, who, as mentioned earlier, “was working overtime to remake our country into an image generated from the clouded depths deep within his warped mind.” Trump's character is displayed front and center in his book, illustrated by the words Kalb penned seven years ago; Enemy Of The People needs no sequel; it remains relevant today.
Enemy Of The People also pulled no punches regarding Donald Trump’s character and his warped sense of reality. It was authored by one of the best writers of all things political for 60-plus years; it should be required reading for every sitting member of Congress and the judiciary, and is worthy of its five-star rating. Finally, the “average American” should read Marvin Kalb’s Enemy Of The People … as an “enemy of the people,” Donald Trump is that dangerous. *****
1. AI chatbot, “Gemini.”
2. Enemy Of The People; Part Ten, p. 147
3. Enemy Of The People was written in 2018, 64 years after Murrow’s broadcast of March 9, 1954. The broadcast aired on Murrow’s “See it Now” program as an episode titled, “A Report on Senator Joseph McCarthy.”
August 29, 2019
In this short but passionate book, respected senior journalist Marvin Kalb argues that Donald Trump’s attacks on the free press constitute a severe and even existential threat to American democracy.
In Trump, Kalb sees many echoes of Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy’s “Red Scare” crusade in the early 1950s. McCarthy took center stage for several years by playing to people’s Cold War fears, demonizing Communists and claiming that they had infiltrated American government and the media. Similarly, Trump propelled himself to the White House by scapegoating whole hosts of people for perceived ills in America, including immigrants, “socialists” (i.e., Democrats), and not least, the press. His slander of the press as “the enemy of the people,” echoing brutal dictators like Stalin, Hitler, and Mao, has been particularly egregious. And his attacks on the press as a purveyors of “fake news” have continued on a near-daily basis during his Presidency.
Kalb recounts the role of the press in standing up to McCarthy and ultimately causing his downfall. He pays special homage to the broadcasts of his professional hero Edward R. Murrow on CBS, which he views as a turning point in the public’s perception of McCarthy and his Communist witch hunt.
More briefly, Kalb also discusses how in 1968 CBS anchor Walter Cronkite helped change the opinion of many Americans about the Vietnam War and led directly to President Lyndon Johnson deciding not to run for another term. Likewise, he recounts how Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s unrelenting investigative reporting into the Watergate scandal led to Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1974.
Kalb recognizes that the media landscape has been revolutionized in the last decade or two, as the Internet, cable television, and social media have replaced newspapers and broadcast television as the primary sources of news for most of the population. Americans are now subjected to a huge, discordant array of voices competing for their attention. In this tribal, even atomized environment there are no universally admired, authoritative voices in the press, as Murrow and Cronkite arguably were in their day.
As a result, it is even easier for an amoral authoritarian politician like Trump to gain adherents and votes with relentless attacks on “fake news” and the “dishonest media.” And it is harder for the press to successfully hold him to account.
But the difficulty of the task doesn’t relieve the press of its duty to challenge Trump, counter his attacks, and expose his lies. Rather, it makes it especially crucial for the press to assert its historic role as one of the pillars of democracy — the institution that speaks truth to power on behalf of the people.
Kalb ends the book with an accusation directly addressed to Trump: “And so, with all due respect to the office you hold, Mr. President, the ‘enemy of the people’ is not the press. It is you.” I couldn’t agree more.
In Trump, Kalb sees many echoes of Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy’s “Red Scare” crusade in the early 1950s. McCarthy took center stage for several years by playing to people’s Cold War fears, demonizing Communists and claiming that they had infiltrated American government and the media. Similarly, Trump propelled himself to the White House by scapegoating whole hosts of people for perceived ills in America, including immigrants, “socialists” (i.e., Democrats), and not least, the press. His slander of the press as “the enemy of the people,” echoing brutal dictators like Stalin, Hitler, and Mao, has been particularly egregious. And his attacks on the press as a purveyors of “fake news” have continued on a near-daily basis during his Presidency.
Kalb recounts the role of the press in standing up to McCarthy and ultimately causing his downfall. He pays special homage to the broadcasts of his professional hero Edward R. Murrow on CBS, which he views as a turning point in the public’s perception of McCarthy and his Communist witch hunt.
More briefly, Kalb also discusses how in 1968 CBS anchor Walter Cronkite helped change the opinion of many Americans about the Vietnam War and led directly to President Lyndon Johnson deciding not to run for another term. Likewise, he recounts how Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s unrelenting investigative reporting into the Watergate scandal led to Richard Nixon’s resignation in 1974.
Kalb recognizes that the media landscape has been revolutionized in the last decade or two, as the Internet, cable television, and social media have replaced newspapers and broadcast television as the primary sources of news for most of the population. Americans are now subjected to a huge, discordant array of voices competing for their attention. In this tribal, even atomized environment there are no universally admired, authoritative voices in the press, as Murrow and Cronkite arguably were in their day.
As a result, it is even easier for an amoral authoritarian politician like Trump to gain adherents and votes with relentless attacks on “fake news” and the “dishonest media.” And it is harder for the press to successfully hold him to account.
But the difficulty of the task doesn’t relieve the press of its duty to challenge Trump, counter his attacks, and expose his lies. Rather, it makes it especially crucial for the press to assert its historic role as one of the pillars of democracy — the institution that speaks truth to power on behalf of the people.
Kalb ends the book with an accusation directly addressed to Trump: “And so, with all due respect to the office you hold, Mr. President, the ‘enemy of the people’ is not the press. It is you.” I couldn’t agree more.
February 22, 2019
Marvin Kalb, multi award winning journalist for over six decades now, writes poignantly and clearly about freedom of the press being one of the cornerstones of a strong and vital Democracy, and how the Trump presidency is undermining this freedom, and our Democracy, itself. As the title of this book implies, as a nation, we have faced other crises, and Mr. Kalb explains how freedom of the press created a climate that enabled us to come out of those dark times and move forward.
This book is a gift to the American people and the world. It comes from the heart, and Marvin Kalb's life-long experiences as a journalist of renown. As he explains, it was born out of his concerns about Donald Trump and others viewing the press as the enemy of the people instead of the guarantors of freedom. In providing a historical perspective concerning demagoguery and attacks on the press as the enemy of the people, Mr. Kalb makes the case that it is this very freedom that gives the people the information they need to make informed choices. He emphasizes the two cornerstones of a strong Democracy: freedom of the press; and an independent judiciary. It's no secret that the Trump agenda seeks to undermine both--and worst case scenario--abolish both.
If you only choose to read one book I recommend this year, please choose to read this one. Let it be a wake-up call to us not to allow "fake" news to supplant the "true" news from serious journalists who are doing their jobs. This book is a good beginning to remind us of how important journalism and a free press are to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law so that a dictator cannot create his or her own truth at the expense of freedom. As Mr. Kalb so eloquently illustrates, the parallels between what happened in Nazi Germany, the era of McCarthyism and Water Gate to the present day of Donald Trump's presidency are strikingly identical. God bless you Marvin Kalb for the gift of this book.
February 19, 2021
Enemy of the People: Trump's War on the Press, the New McCarthyism, and the Threat to American Democracy by Marvin Kalb is an obvious hit piece on President Trump from the title to the summary description provided. To any casual fair minded observer of the mainstream news outlets, overwhelming coverage of anyone on the left from Obama to Biden to even Pelosi and Schumer is friendly and resembles what their press people would likely put out. On the other hand, stories about and coverage of Trump or anyone on the right is typically controversial and negative in nature and tone. For anyone to claim that there is no bias in the news is totally idiotic nonsense. Trump certainly can be a bit dramatic in his choice of words but news should be just that, News! And without the spin and opinions of the reporters. I see and completely understand where President Trump is coming from when he calls out the News for being biased and fake and pushing a leftist agenda. I don't know how they can continue to deny what is so obvious to most Americans. Gone are the days of Walter Cronkite, Edward R. Murrow, and other trusted voices of the truth and real unspun news. Most have sold out to an agenda that the majority of Americans oppose: that of the socialists and communists among us. The author attempts to make some clearly false comparisons of truly brave and principled journalists of the past with sell-outs to the leftist agenda of today who mostly try to make news rather than report news. He attempts to portray Trump as a dictator in the mold of Stalin, Hitler, or Mao while ignoring attempts by the Obama administration to actually threaten and intimidate journalists who they considered unfriendly to their cause. I fear for our country when journalism is fast becoming nothing more than a partisan propaganda wing of the democrat party that actually covers up negative stories about those on the left (Hunter Biden scandals, Joe Biden briberies)
March 31, 2019
I had the privilege this week of listening to a lecture from, and then sharing a lunch table with, the author. At nearly 90 years old, the Brookings Institution scholar and former Meet the Press anchor is a supremely interesting intellectual and gentleman who related great stories of his life in academia and journalism.
In Enemy of the People, Kalb compares the current era to that of McCarthy. He spends a great deal of the book giving historical background on McCarthy/McCarthyism, and then on CBS legend Edward Murrow--Kalb's friend, mentor, and personal hero--who played such a critical role in bringing McCarthy down.
He makes a rather transparent attempt to play Murrow's part to today's alleged McCarthy, President Donald Trump. He notes that Trump's accusation that the press has become the "enemy of the people" is the same phrase that Lenin, Hitler, and other totalitarian dictators used to denounce their political enemies, and concludes the book with the sentences, "... Mr. President, the 'enemy of the people' is not the press. It is you."
Murrow believed very strongly that the free press and the independent judiciary were the two indispensable institutions of our country. Without them, there would be no America. The author concurs. While Kalb acknowledges shortcomings of today's press, he does not appear to me to realize the depths to which they've sunk. He seems to blame the public's distrust of the press on Trump's railing against "fake news." I asked him at lunch to what extent the press had lost its role from a necessary mediator of information in the pre-cable and pre-internet era. It seems to me that they have become quite partisan and purveyors of opinion-masquerading-as-news that are equally responsible for the situation in which we find ourselves.
Nevertheless, this is an interesting book and recommended.
In Enemy of the People, Kalb compares the current era to that of McCarthy. He spends a great deal of the book giving historical background on McCarthy/McCarthyism, and then on CBS legend Edward Murrow--Kalb's friend, mentor, and personal hero--who played such a critical role in bringing McCarthy down.
He makes a rather transparent attempt to play Murrow's part to today's alleged McCarthy, President Donald Trump. He notes that Trump's accusation that the press has become the "enemy of the people" is the same phrase that Lenin, Hitler, and other totalitarian dictators used to denounce their political enemies, and concludes the book with the sentences, "... Mr. President, the 'enemy of the people' is not the press. It is you."
Murrow believed very strongly that the free press and the independent judiciary were the two indispensable institutions of our country. Without them, there would be no America. The author concurs. While Kalb acknowledges shortcomings of today's press, he does not appear to me to realize the depths to which they've sunk. He seems to blame the public's distrust of the press on Trump's railing against "fake news." I asked him at lunch to what extent the press had lost its role from a necessary mediator of information in the pre-cable and pre-internet era. It seems to me that they have become quite partisan and purveyors of opinion-masquerading-as-news that are equally responsible for the situation in which we find ourselves.
Nevertheless, this is an interesting book and recommended.
March 12, 2019
First of all, if you're a President Trump supporter, you likely would not like this book. But if you're an open minded person, and don't mind then Of course, read it.
If you care about freedom of the press, and our democracy, I totally recommend this book. This book brings to light dangers that could face our press.
I realize our press is not perfect, and like most things, can use work. There are bad reporters, there are good ones, like with anything. But this country and any true democracy must have a free press!
I learned some things from this book, other times our country has faced trials and threats to our democracy. I loved this book, and I would recommend it to those that love our system of freedom and democracy, and want to see it always preserved.
If you care about freedom of the press, and our democracy, I totally recommend this book. This book brings to light dangers that could face our press.
I realize our press is not perfect, and like most things, can use work. There are bad reporters, there are good ones, like with anything. But this country and any true democracy must have a free press!
I learned some things from this book, other times our country has faced trials and threats to our democracy. I loved this book, and I would recommend it to those that love our system of freedom and democracy, and want to see it always preserved.
April 11, 2024
I hate that we have heard nothing but Donald Trump news for the past 8 years. With every book that is written about him and all the facts of his narcissism, media obsession, personality, lack of knowledge, and lack of skills for one of the most important jobs in the world. And YET you have sycophants who will praise the size of his penis, cognition, dancing ability, supposed Christian upbringing, and blatant hypocrisy without batting an eye. Everything says that this man is a threat to our nation, YET the uneducated, brown-nosers will continue to support him, despite all his lies and even in the face of him dispising his base.
April 23, 2019
Solid little book about our current perils vis a vis the Free Press. Kalb uses McCarthyism as the model for understanding Trumpism and its threat to free speech and democracy. Edward E. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Woodward and Bernstein are all used as models for appropriate response of the Oress to these threats. Kalb also makes a brief but impactful and important comment on how the American Press in 2018/19 is driven more by the profit margin than the truth. These are indeed scary times.
January 12, 2020
This is a short, but fascinating book. The similarities between Joseph McCarthy and Trump. Kalb's lengthy journalism career has served him well in bringing the facts about Trump's unfitness and recognizing the present situation of our country for what it is and putting those observations into a cogent and erudite argument for the preservation of the freedom of the press as a cornerstone of democracy.
August 31, 2019
Marvin Kalb is an iconic journalist - one of the last of a male-dominated time of the investigative journalism's before the term existed. His threading of McCarthyism to Trumpism provides a mirror to a time that America shuns yet lives today. Bringing Edward R Murrow's reporting to the forefront today renews the significance of the fourth estate. It was a quick read with a framework that allows the reader to connect past to present. The Enemy of the People is in the White House ( or Mar-a-lago or on the golf course) today.
January 18, 2020
POTUS45, Enemy of the People
POTUS45 an enemy of our country not our institutions, the courts or the press. As POTUS45 goes before the U.S. Senate in its trial to remove him from office due to his abuse of power and obstruction Congress, Kalb's message on the importance of a free press and the integrity of the courts should not be lost on us.
POTUS45 an enemy of our country not our institutions, the courts or the press. As POTUS45 goes before the U.S. Senate in its trial to remove him from office due to his abuse of power and obstruction Congress, Kalb's message on the importance of a free press and the integrity of the courts should not be lost on us.
March 1, 2025
An interesting book following McCarthism and similarities with the treatment of the press in current day. Enemy of the People was a phrase used to discredit the press and still is by Trump. " Fake news" just creates doubt and takes focus away from what is occurring. The book was written a few years ago. It might be fun to see if there could be a bonus chapter regarding the second term.
July 14, 2025
Though this book was a great introduction to the mapping of McCarthyism and journalistic history onto the egregious presidency of Donald Trump, I do wish the author had gone a little further. From my standpoint, Kalb continues to cling a little too tightly to a halcyon perception of America and the presidency’s past values. That Trump defies everything the country is meant to stand for is undeniable; however, Kalb seems overly soft in his views toward the government’s many other such denials of the “freedom” that should (and in the author’s view at least, does) characterize the USA.
Overall, a concise and educational read about the role of truth and press in the face of authoritarianism. I just wish Kalb was a little more radical.
Overall, a concise and educational read about the role of truth and press in the face of authoritarianism. I just wish Kalb was a little more radical.
December 17, 2018
Thought provoking and timely
A quick but thought provoking read that sheds light on history of confrontation between politicians and the fourth estate. Our freedoms are tied to a free press.
A quick but thought provoking read that sheds light on history of confrontation between politicians and the fourth estate. Our freedoms are tied to a free press.
March 1, 2019
Clear, concise, and powerful breakdown of the roll of free press in a democratic government, how it has developed through many of America’s biggest political blunders, and how the Trump administration has the potential to threaten its very existence.
November 8, 2019
There's an interesting chapter on the origins of the phrase "Enemy of the People," but a major chunk of the work is simply a history of McCarthy and Edward R. Murrow. Beyond that there's not a ton of insight into Trump's attacks on the press.
January 13, 2020
Fake News
Anti-Trump. Very biased book. Twenty-seven psychiatrists have claimed that President Trump has mental health issues just by observing him without any personal contact.
Anti-Trump. Very biased book. Twenty-seven psychiatrists have claimed that President Trump has mental health issues just by observing him without any personal contact.
November 26, 2018
This was a vigorous defense of a free press and independent judiciary. Without either one, democracy is doomed.
Kalb has the stature and experience to draw on historical experience to address our current, national crisis of credibility. His descriptions of Edward R Murrow vs Joe McCarthy, Woodward and Bernstein vs Nixon were apt parallels.
Please find and read this one.
Kalb has the stature and experience to draw on historical experience to address our current, national crisis of credibility. His descriptions of Edward R Murrow vs Joe McCarthy, Woodward and Bernstein vs Nixon were apt parallels.
Please find and read this one.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews