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Bill Moyers Journal: The Conversation Continues
A companion volume to the Emmy Award – winning PBS® series―interviews with “an essential voice in our national conversation” (Brian Williams, MSNBC anchor).
This “provocative” and “absorbing” ( Star Tribune ) companion book to Bill Moyer’s acclaimed PBS series invites readers into conversations with some of the most captivating voices on the scene today, in what Kirkus Reviews calls “a glittering array of discussions.” From Jon Stewart on politics and media to Michael Pollan on food, The Wire creator David Simon on the mean streets of our cities, James Cone and Shelby Steele on race in the age of Obama, Robert Bly and Nikki Giovanni on the power of poetry, Barbara Ehrenreich on the hard times of working Americans, and Karen Armstrong on faith and compassion, Moyer’s own intelligence and insight match that of his guests and their discussions animate many of the most salient issues of our time.
With extensive commentary from Moyers, marked by his customary “respect, intelligence, curiosity, humor, and graciousness,” here are the debates; cultural currents; and, above all, lively minds that shape the conversation of democracy ( Booklist ).
“In an era of much instant and ephemeral talk, it is a pleasurable thing to hold this ‘book of ideas.’” ― Publishers Weekly
“[Moyers] has always been about something beyond the moment. Or put another way, while everyone else in the media has been exploring topography, Moyers has been exploring geology.” ― Los Angeles Times
This “provocative” and “absorbing” ( Star Tribune ) companion book to Bill Moyer’s acclaimed PBS series invites readers into conversations with some of the most captivating voices on the scene today, in what Kirkus Reviews calls “a glittering array of discussions.” From Jon Stewart on politics and media to Michael Pollan on food, The Wire creator David Simon on the mean streets of our cities, James Cone and Shelby Steele on race in the age of Obama, Robert Bly and Nikki Giovanni on the power of poetry, Barbara Ehrenreich on the hard times of working Americans, and Karen Armstrong on faith and compassion, Moyer’s own intelligence and insight match that of his guests and their discussions animate many of the most salient issues of our time.
With extensive commentary from Moyers, marked by his customary “respect, intelligence, curiosity, humor, and graciousness,” here are the debates; cultural currents; and, above all, lively minds that shape the conversation of democracy ( Booklist ).
“In an era of much instant and ephemeral talk, it is a pleasurable thing to hold this ‘book of ideas.’” ― Publishers Weekly
“[Moyers] has always been about something beyond the moment. Or put another way, while everyone else in the media has been exploring topography, Moyers has been exploring geology.” ― Los Angeles Times
594 pages, Hardcover
First published April 8, 2011
82 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Bill Moyers
113 books123 followersBilly Don Moyers was an American journalist and political commentator who served as the eleventh White House Press Secretary from 1965 to 1967. He was a director of the Council on Foreign Relations from 1967 to 1974. He was also a onetime steering committee member of the annual Bilderberg Meeting. Moyers also worked as a network TV news commentator for ten years. Moyers was extensively involved with public broadcasting, producing documentaries and news journal programs, and won many awards and honorary degrees for his investigative journalism and civic activities. He was well known as a trenchant critic of the corporately structured U.S. news media.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 4, 2011
I had heard many of these interviews on Bill Moyers's show so it was a great experience to read the interview. Although I don't always agree with these guests Bill Moyers had on his show almost all of them caused me to think and to question...and at times change my opinion. That's what being educated is all about.
April 17, 2012
I put this book on my reading list after seeing an interview with Bill Moyers on The Daily Show. I began reading it in January of this year. It was a slow process. I took my time reading each interview. In between I admit I read several other books - mostly fiction - to break things up a bit, but by the time I read half of the interviews that stopped.
The more I read, the more I began to question. The more I questioned, the more I learned about myself. It made me look at the world around me, made me ask how I could change things for the better.
I've been politically aware for some time though I don't often share my views, this book changed that. I found myself discussing things that I read in the interviews and discussing the ideas/beliefs/ideologies presented with others.
It's true that many of the interviews discuss various political issues - civil liberties, economics,racial issues and so forth. But beyond that you get the sense of an over arching discussion of the Human Experience as a whole. You aren't looking at how things affect one individual, but how things affect us as a group...as a society.
I really enjoyed reading The Conversation Continues. And even though I know that there are many people out there that would disagree with the opinions presented in these interviews I would still recommend reading the book. Just because you might not agree with the ideas, doesn't make them any less valid, or mean that you won't learn something from them.
The more I read, the more I began to question. The more I questioned, the more I learned about myself. It made me look at the world around me, made me ask how I could change things for the better.
I've been politically aware for some time though I don't often share my views, this book changed that. I found myself discussing things that I read in the interviews and discussing the ideas/beliefs/ideologies presented with others.
It's true that many of the interviews discuss various political issues - civil liberties, economics,racial issues and so forth. But beyond that you get the sense of an over arching discussion of the Human Experience as a whole. You aren't looking at how things affect one individual, but how things affect us as a group...as a society.
I really enjoyed reading The Conversation Continues. And even though I know that there are many people out there that would disagree with the opinions presented in these interviews I would still recommend reading the book. Just because you might not agree with the ideas, doesn't make them any less valid, or mean that you won't learn something from them.
December 19, 2011
This book is a keeper. I'm reading a library copy but have put it on my wish list for a permanent place on my bookshelf. The wise words and coherent explanations just spill out of the interviews. I also love the updated comments by Moyers at the beginning of each interview.
Many of the thoughts and opinions expressed are relevant to today's issues and problems. In the John Lithgow interview, John is discussing why he wanted to play a part in the revival of the play "All My Sons" by David Mamet.
"The father, Joe Keller - his sin was letting a moment pass when he should have stopped something bad from happening. And letting it pass in order that he should continue to prosper and thrive and benefit and profit from the war. That was his great sin. If nothing had gone wrong, if these engine parts had not malfunctioned, he would have won. And no one would have known about his sin. But twenty-one men died because of what he did. And he still pretends that it didn't happen. When it's revealed, he has to be held accountable.
Well, this is our era of accountability, is it not?"
Words from wise people to help us keep on keeping on.
Many of the thoughts and opinions expressed are relevant to today's issues and problems. In the John Lithgow interview, John is discussing why he wanted to play a part in the revival of the play "All My Sons" by David Mamet.
"The father, Joe Keller - his sin was letting a moment pass when he should have stopped something bad from happening. And letting it pass in order that he should continue to prosper and thrive and benefit and profit from the war. That was his great sin. If nothing had gone wrong, if these engine parts had not malfunctioned, he would have won. And no one would have known about his sin. But twenty-one men died because of what he did. And he still pretends that it didn't happen. When it's revealed, he has to be held accountable.
Well, this is our era of accountability, is it not?"
Words from wise people to help us keep on keeping on.
October 13, 2011
Wow, this book is exhausting. Good exhausting and well worth the time, but I feel like I just completed the literary equivalent of a race (this is where I will mention that, if you do decide to read this book – which you should – buy a copy and space out the reading). Comprised of interviews Mr. Moyers conducted between 2007 and 2010, the people featured in this book come from all walks of life and backgrounds and cover a variety of subjects. There’s not a bad interview in this book – some are better than others, but even the weaker ones are better than the vast majority of modern journalism. The interviews are thought provoking and surprisingly deep for the relatively few pages each take up. In around 550 pages, readers have the chance to peruse a variety of subjects and topics as discussed by intelligent, informed individuals – in a way, it’s like reading cliff notes on dozens of nonfiction books and subjects. The interviews average around 10 pages each, making this a great book to pick up and put down at a reader’s leisure. Highly, highly recommended.
September 26, 2019
Read this if you like hearing multiple viewpoints, across ideological spectrums (conservative, liberal, progressive, socialist, other, etc.). Surely guaranteed to give you a different point of view about how your own perceptions work as opposed to the way the typical corporate media spins things into soundbites.
This is a collection of multiple interview by Bill Moyers, with a variety of of people across a broad array of spectrums. Political figures, poets, activists, conservatives, progressives, religious leaders, judges, lawyers, and much more. Prepare to open your mind, and for once read more than the soundbites we get on a daily basis provide for us, as we navigate our way in this complex world we live in.
Bill Moyers is my hero for his gentle and yet probing presence in all of these interviews. Multiple questions each opening a new door, and hopefully a new perspective, if you decide to read it.
This is a collection of multiple interview by Bill Moyers, with a variety of of people across a broad array of spectrums. Political figures, poets, activists, conservatives, progressives, religious leaders, judges, lawyers, and much more. Prepare to open your mind, and for once read more than the soundbites we get on a daily basis provide for us, as we navigate our way in this complex world we live in.
Bill Moyers is my hero for his gentle and yet probing presence in all of these interviews. Multiple questions each opening a new door, and hopefully a new perspective, if you decide to read it.
August 27, 2011
Bill Moyers was a guest on Tavis Smiley recently. It was great to visit with Bill as I miss his PBS show, Bill Moyers Journal. His last show was in April/May 2010. His book, The Conversation Continues, brought back memories.
On TV, I thoroughly enjoyed Bill’s engaging conversations about current events. He spoke with authors, poets, artists, scholars, political figures, and diverse activists, to name a few. My favorite conversations were with writers. He not only asked profound questions, but he invited his audience inside the author’s homes where we witnessed their idiosyncrasies. What fun!
When Tavis interviewed Bill on his show to promote his new book, I relived the conversations from TV. If you have never seen Bill’s show, you will enjoy this book. The written conversations will allow you to feel like you are viewing the TV show from the comfort of your living room.
The book begins with an introduction conversation with Jon Stewart. I understood completely why Bill chose Jon to introduce his book. See if you agree when you read it. Altogether, there are 47 conversations in the book. As I read them, I recalled the conversations on TV. I remembered that some made such an impression on me that I purchased the books immediately after watching the show. For example, Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot wrote a book called, The Third Chapter. She talked about her book in such detail that when I purchased the book, I was very disappointed. There was nothing knew, she said it all to Bill!
Another book I purchased was John Lithgow’s, The Poets’ Corner. John was so inspiring talking to Bill about specific poems that I knew I had to own the entire book. I also purchased the CD collection of the poems. These are not John’s poems, they are a collection of poems, or as John puts it, The One-And-Only Poetry Book For The Whole Family. On the CD the poems are read by John and very special guests, some I recognized, some I did not.
I purchased Susan Jacoby’s book, The Age of American Unreason. I had to purchase this book because I needed words on a page to help me understand the words she said to Bill!
I recommend this book, Bill Moyers Journal, The Conversation Continues, to readers of all ages. There is a conversation in it for everyone. Bill Moyer is an extraordinary journalist. It’s always nice to have a picture to go with a conversation and Bill includes this feature for each of his conversations. Enjoy!
On TV, I thoroughly enjoyed Bill’s engaging conversations about current events. He spoke with authors, poets, artists, scholars, political figures, and diverse activists, to name a few. My favorite conversations were with writers. He not only asked profound questions, but he invited his audience inside the author’s homes where we witnessed their idiosyncrasies. What fun!
When Tavis interviewed Bill on his show to promote his new book, I relived the conversations from TV. If you have never seen Bill’s show, you will enjoy this book. The written conversations will allow you to feel like you are viewing the TV show from the comfort of your living room.
The book begins with an introduction conversation with Jon Stewart. I understood completely why Bill chose Jon to introduce his book. See if you agree when you read it. Altogether, there are 47 conversations in the book. As I read them, I recalled the conversations on TV. I remembered that some made such an impression on me that I purchased the books immediately after watching the show. For example, Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot wrote a book called, The Third Chapter. She talked about her book in such detail that when I purchased the book, I was very disappointed. There was nothing knew, she said it all to Bill!
Another book I purchased was John Lithgow’s, The Poets’ Corner. John was so inspiring talking to Bill about specific poems that I knew I had to own the entire book. I also purchased the CD collection of the poems. These are not John’s poems, they are a collection of poems, or as John puts it, The One-And-Only Poetry Book For The Whole Family. On the CD the poems are read by John and very special guests, some I recognized, some I did not.
I purchased Susan Jacoby’s book, The Age of American Unreason. I had to purchase this book because I needed words on a page to help me understand the words she said to Bill!
I recommend this book, Bill Moyers Journal, The Conversation Continues, to readers of all ages. There is a conversation in it for everyone. Bill Moyer is an extraordinary journalist. It’s always nice to have a picture to go with a conversation and Bill includes this feature for each of his conversations. Enjoy!
March 14, 2015
No one asks better questions than Bill Moyers. The interviews are in-depth and provocative, thoroughly honest explorations that both delineate the personal contours of each expert's path, and at the same time, steadfastly reveal the fissures and weaknesses in our most fundamental systems and the beliefs that support them: politics, the military, food and agriculture, etc.
For anyone who studies social change, the depth of the insight is sometimes hard to hear, but I often learned more from these short interviews than from years of following issue from afar. So dense, though, you need to read it in small doses. This isn't water; it's wine.
The undeniable fact that Bill Moyers is aging and will not be able continue his probing discourse another 50 years is a undoubtedly a loss for our democracy. The continuity and determination of his attention to social justice across presidencies are unmatched.
For anyone who studies social change, the depth of the insight is sometimes hard to hear, but I often learned more from these short interviews than from years of following issue from afar. So dense, though, you need to read it in small doses. This isn't water; it's wine.
The undeniable fact that Bill Moyers is aging and will not be able continue his probing discourse another 50 years is a undoubtedly a loss for our democracy. The continuity and determination of his attention to social justice across presidencies are unmatched.
Read
June 21, 2015Borrowed from my neighbor on his recommendation of a specific interview in the book with Louise Erdrich, who's round house novel I just finished. Was really glad to see interview in there with Michele Alexander about her ideas in The New Jim Crow. It is one of the few succinct summaries of her ideas that I've found.
July 31, 2012
Each chapter is a short interview with a different person - an eclectic crowd but if Bill Moyers finds the person worth talking to, you know you'll learn something.
August 2, 2018
Bill Moyers, on his birthday June 5
A brilliant intellect in service to a deep humanity and a compassionate heart, Bill Moyers set the gold standard of journalism, news commentary, and a public discourse of civility, reason, and openness. His honesty and fairness, curiousity, liveliness, and boundless empathy modeled not only how the Fourth Estate may best serve its purpose in a democracy, but also how citizens may embody excellence in public discourse and in their engagement with one another in forging a better tomorrow.
His work is the pursuit of truth, justice, and the American Way; as it must be for every citizen in a free society of equals. I've used his books and shows as a debate coach, and to teach Current Events and Civics (Report from Philadelphia: The Constitutional Convention 1787) classes, as well as the superb The Language of Life: A Festival of Poets and Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth in teaching English Literature classes.
And for myself, I greatly treasured and enjoyed the marvelous Genesis: A Living Conversation, an ideal text and method of meaningful group study of sacred literature irrespective of the tradition or critical theory with which you come to its interpretation.
Most recently, Bill Moyers Journal: The Conversation Continues provides an excellent introduction to his work. And the two volumes of A World of Ideas provide a record of thoughtful conversations which are themselves great conversation starters.
As I see it, the primary insight by which Bill Moyers has conducted his inquiry into the life and times of 20th century America is simple; problems are easier to solve together , so we must bring informed people of goodwill from divergent viewpoints into the task through conversation. Any public space becomes the Forum of Athens, where we may question and create meaning and value through Socratic dialog.
The mission of Bill Moyers, and of the journalism that he championed, is to renew our civilization by reclaiming the methods of its founding in pursuit of The Good, as applied and directed to the immense and complex issues we face today, that when we wake tomorrow we will have improved our chances of life, liberty, and the possibilities for happiness.
A brilliant intellect in service to a deep humanity and a compassionate heart, Bill Moyers set the gold standard of journalism, news commentary, and a public discourse of civility, reason, and openness. His honesty and fairness, curiousity, liveliness, and boundless empathy modeled not only how the Fourth Estate may best serve its purpose in a democracy, but also how citizens may embody excellence in public discourse and in their engagement with one another in forging a better tomorrow.
His work is the pursuit of truth, justice, and the American Way; as it must be for every citizen in a free society of equals. I've used his books and shows as a debate coach, and to teach Current Events and Civics (Report from Philadelphia: The Constitutional Convention 1787) classes, as well as the superb The Language of Life: A Festival of Poets and Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth in teaching English Literature classes.
And for myself, I greatly treasured and enjoyed the marvelous Genesis: A Living Conversation, an ideal text and method of meaningful group study of sacred literature irrespective of the tradition or critical theory with which you come to its interpretation.
Most recently, Bill Moyers Journal: The Conversation Continues provides an excellent introduction to his work. And the two volumes of A World of Ideas provide a record of thoughtful conversations which are themselves great conversation starters.
As I see it, the primary insight by which Bill Moyers has conducted his inquiry into the life and times of 20th century America is simple; problems are easier to solve together , so we must bring informed people of goodwill from divergent viewpoints into the task through conversation. Any public space becomes the Forum of Athens, where we may question and create meaning and value through Socratic dialog.
The mission of Bill Moyers, and of the journalism that he championed, is to renew our civilization by reclaiming the methods of its founding in pursuit of The Good, as applied and directed to the immense and complex issues we face today, that when we wake tomorrow we will have improved our chances of life, liberty, and the possibilities for happiness.
Want to read
August 25, 2023I had the pleasure of hearing Bill Moyers speak on 26 Oct 2011 at Oklahoma City University. His topic was “The Truth of Your Life.” After his talk, he signed a copy of his book “Bill Moyers Journal: The Conversation Continues” for me. I was so honored to meet him and wish we could have had a long conversation about his talk.
“If journalism is indeed a sacred calling, then few men are more qualified to be its high priest than Bill Moyers. In an age of shallow, hyper-partisan entertainment formats that pass for news, one voice has never wavered in service to the highest aim of a journalist: to find and speaks the truth. Born in Oklahoma in 1934, Bill Moyers began his journalism career at age 16 as a cub reporter on the Marshall News Messenger, served as press secretary to Lyndon Johnson, and went on to establish Public Affairs Television in 1986. The winner of more than 30 Emmy Awards, Moyers has produced some of the finest documentaries ever seen on public television and has interviewed some of the most important thinkers in the world, from Joseph Campbell on the power of myth to Elite Wiesel on the power of evil. His candid work on death and dying, addiction, and myriad threats to our democracy include a body of work that is without equal in public broadcasting. Like a canary in the journalistic coal mine, Bill Moyers refuses to go quietly into retirement without telling the biggest story of our time: that we have lost any semblance of an independent press and have largely sold our democracy to the highest bidder. The good news is that Bill Moyers will be back next year with a new program on American Public Television entitled Moyers and Company.
On this evening, Moyers will reflect on the case for and against optimism in a world where everything that’s tied down is coming loose and the only hero who can save us is right there in the mirror, staring back at you. After almost half a century in broadcast journalism, the PBS veteran is known for seeing the world as it is, without rose-colored glasses, even as he imagines a more confident future.”
~from the flyer distributed at his speech on 26 Oct 2011
Bill Moyers was a founding organizer of the Peace Corps, a senior White House assistant and press secretary to President Lyndon Johnson from 1963-1967…
His book is so chock full of ideas that I selected a gorgeous pink journal to take notes in that Charlie had given me.
As of 17 Aug 2023, as I write this, he’s still alive.
JON STEWART (1962- )
Movers said he asked Stewart to be the first guest on the JOURNAL’s premiere in 2007 because Mark Twain (1835-1910) wasn’t available.
“If journalism is indeed a sacred calling, then few men are more qualified to be its high priest than Bill Moyers. In an age of shallow, hyper-partisan entertainment formats that pass for news, one voice has never wavered in service to the highest aim of a journalist: to find and speaks the truth. Born in Oklahoma in 1934, Bill Moyers began his journalism career at age 16 as a cub reporter on the Marshall News Messenger, served as press secretary to Lyndon Johnson, and went on to establish Public Affairs Television in 1986. The winner of more than 30 Emmy Awards, Moyers has produced some of the finest documentaries ever seen on public television and has interviewed some of the most important thinkers in the world, from Joseph Campbell on the power of myth to Elite Wiesel on the power of evil. His candid work on death and dying, addiction, and myriad threats to our democracy include a body of work that is without equal in public broadcasting. Like a canary in the journalistic coal mine, Bill Moyers refuses to go quietly into retirement without telling the biggest story of our time: that we have lost any semblance of an independent press and have largely sold our democracy to the highest bidder. The good news is that Bill Moyers will be back next year with a new program on American Public Television entitled Moyers and Company.
On this evening, Moyers will reflect on the case for and against optimism in a world where everything that’s tied down is coming loose and the only hero who can save us is right there in the mirror, staring back at you. After almost half a century in broadcast journalism, the PBS veteran is known for seeing the world as it is, without rose-colored glasses, even as he imagines a more confident future.”
~from the flyer distributed at his speech on 26 Oct 2011
Bill Moyers was a founding organizer of the Peace Corps, a senior White House assistant and press secretary to President Lyndon Johnson from 1963-1967…
His book is so chock full of ideas that I selected a gorgeous pink journal to take notes in that Charlie had given me.
As of 17 Aug 2023, as I write this, he’s still alive.
JON STEWART (1962- )
Movers said he asked Stewart to be the first guest on the JOURNAL’s premiere in 2007 because Mark Twain (1835-1910) wasn’t available.
January 30, 2019
I can't recommend this book highly enough. It was published in 2011, and consists of transcripts of many of his interviews up to that time. Bill Moyers is a thoughtful, sensitive and curious seeker of meaning and truth, and inspires his audience to commit their lives to making the world a better place.
May 29, 2023
Transcriptions of interviews from his early 21st century program, each introduced with a short commentary. It was an interesting way to look back at recent history, politics, literature, science, and popular culture.
November 12, 2023
Yessssss. So many interviews that are wildly relevant and clear-eyed and just fucking important.
August 11, 2011
Bill Moyers : Agent K
The Conversation Continues : 'A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it.'
So much that makes sense, that clarifies, that would work, but just isn't heard, understood or acted on. Three to four years after the interviews, despair. At the time, there was hope someone would listen, look forward past personal interest. But no. We are the British Empire right before its fall. First thought that over twenty years ago, kept hoping I was wrong. This book convincingly confirms.
Okay, at the same time, read a beautiful poem and got to know, however briefly, some very interesting folks, um, I mean people.
------
From The Kabir Book: Forty-Four of the Ecstatic Poems of Kabir by Robert Bly.
Friend, hope for the Guest while you are alive.
Jump into experience while you are alive!
Think... and think... while you are alive.
What you call "salvation" belongs to the time before death.
If you do not break your ropes while you're alive
do you think
that ghosts will do it after?
The idea that the soul will join with the ecstatic
just because the body is rotten ---
that is all fantasy.
What is found now is found then.
If you find nothing now,
you will simply end up with an apartment in the City of Death.
If you make love with the divine now, in the next life you will have the face of satisfied desire.
So plunge into the truth, find out who the Teacher is, Believe in the Great Sound!
Kabir says this: When the guest is being searched for, it is the intensity of the longing for the guest that does all the work.
Look at me, and you will see a slave of that intensity.
Kabir, translated by Robert Bly
From The Kabir Book: Forty-Four of the Ecstatic Poems of Kabir by Robert Bly.
Friend, hope for the Guest while you are alive.
Jump into experience while you are alive!
Think... and think... while you are alive.
What you call "salvation" belongs to the time before death.
If you do not break your ropes while you're alive
do you think
that ghosts will do it after?
The idea that the soul will join with the ecstatic
just because the body is rotten ---
that is all fantasy.
What is found now is found then.
If you find nothing now,
you will simply end up with an apartment in the City of Death.
If you make love with the divine now, in the next life you will have the face of satisfied desire.
So plunge into the truth, find out who the Teacher is, Believe in the Great Sound!
Kabir says this: When the guest is being searched for, it is the intensity of the longing for the guest that does all the work.
Look at me, and you will see a slave of that intensity.
that ghosts will do it after?
The idea that the soul will join with the ecstatic
just because the body is rotten ---
that is all fantasy.
What is found now is found then.
If you find nothing now,
you will simply end up with an apartment in the City of Death.
If you make love with the divine now, in the next life you will have the face of satisfied desire.
So plunge into the truth, find out who the Teacher is, Believe in the Great Sound!
Kabir says this: When the guest is being searched for, it is the intensity of the longing for the guest that does all the work.
Look at me, and you will see a slave of that intensity.
The Conversation Continues : 'A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it.'
So much that makes sense, that clarifies, that would work, but just isn't heard, understood or acted on. Three to four years after the interviews, despair. At the time, there was hope someone would listen, look forward past personal interest. But no. We are the British Empire right before its fall. First thought that over twenty years ago, kept hoping I was wrong. This book convincingly confirms.
Okay, at the same time, read a beautiful poem and got to know, however briefly, some very interesting folks, um, I mean people.
------
From The Kabir Book: Forty-Four of the Ecstatic Poems of Kabir by Robert Bly.
Friend, hope for the Guest while you are alive.
Jump into experience while you are alive!
Think... and think... while you are alive.
What you call "salvation" belongs to the time before death.
If you do not break your ropes while you're alive
do you think
that ghosts will do it after?
The idea that the soul will join with the ecstatic
just because the body is rotten ---
that is all fantasy.
What is found now is found then.
If you find nothing now,
you will simply end up with an apartment in the City of Death.
If you make love with the divine now, in the next life you will have the face of satisfied desire.
So plunge into the truth, find out who the Teacher is, Believe in the Great Sound!
Kabir says this: When the guest is being searched for, it is the intensity of the longing for the guest that does all the work.
Look at me, and you will see a slave of that intensity.
Kabir, translated by Robert Bly
From The Kabir Book: Forty-Four of the Ecstatic Poems of Kabir by Robert Bly.
Friend, hope for the Guest while you are alive.
Jump into experience while you are alive!
Think... and think... while you are alive.
What you call "salvation" belongs to the time before death.
If you do not break your ropes while you're alive
do you think
that ghosts will do it after?
The idea that the soul will join with the ecstatic
just because the body is rotten ---
that is all fantasy.
What is found now is found then.
If you find nothing now,
you will simply end up with an apartment in the City of Death.
If you make love with the divine now, in the next life you will have the face of satisfied desire.
So plunge into the truth, find out who the Teacher is, Believe in the Great Sound!
Kabir says this: When the guest is being searched for, it is the intensity of the longing for the guest that does all the work.
Look at me, and you will see a slave of that intensity.
that ghosts will do it after?
The idea that the soul will join with the ecstatic
just because the body is rotten ---
that is all fantasy.
What is found now is found then.
If you find nothing now,
you will simply end up with an apartment in the City of Death.
If you make love with the divine now, in the next life you will have the face of satisfied desire.
So plunge into the truth, find out who the Teacher is, Believe in the Great Sound!
Kabir says this: When the guest is being searched for, it is the intensity of the longing for the guest that does all the work.
Look at me, and you will see a slave of that intensity.
July 21, 2011
Collection of transcripts of interviews done by Mr. Moyers on his PBS TV show. A wide variety of guests were included from Jon Stewart to the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jane Goodall to John Lithgow. Several "big" names like John Grisham and Michael Pollan and many people to whom this was my first introduction. Mr. Moyers asks insightful questions and the guests are almost without fail engaging and intriguing.
But there were a lot of them. It's definitely a book you could pick up and put down and read in short chunks. Several of the individual interviews seemed too short and were just getting going when they ended.
I was intrigued enough by several of the interviews that I've added more books to my reading list based on the conversations in this book.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
But there were a lot of them. It's definitely a book you could pick up and put down and read in short chunks. Several of the individual interviews seemed too short and were just getting going when they ended.
I was intrigued enough by several of the interviews that I've added more books to my reading list based on the conversations in this book.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
June 22, 2011
There are about 48-50 interviews, or "conversations," from Moyers' television show over the past five years. Guests include Nikki Giovanni, Jane Goodall, John Grisham, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and Howard Zinn. Each conversation covers roughly ten pages, so I enjoyed reading one of them, putting the book aside, and thinking about it for a while. So it took me a while to finish this book.
Moyers asks insightful questions, doesn't inject himself too much into the exchange, and steers the dialogue so I always got full pictures of each person's viewpoint. Sometimes I already had a lot of information about a topic; sometimes I had nearly none. But all the conversations were informative.
Moyers asks insightful questions, doesn't inject himself too much into the exchange, and steers the dialogue so I always got full pictures of each person's viewpoint. Sometimes I already had a lot of information about a topic; sometimes I had nearly none. But all the conversations were informative.
February 24, 2012
I intended to read 2-3 of Moyers interviews but during one setting I couldn't put it down. Fascinating, intelligent, well thought out answers from some of the greatest minds exploring some of the most pressing issues. I like how some of these experts break a subject down to the most compelling aspect, the answer that I want to know but felt too overwhelmed to look up. So a nice way to get condensed answers to complicated questions. At this stage, particularly dealing with American involvement in the Iraq war and our energy dependence. Moyers is such a good interviewer. I've only read a handful but intend to read more this weekend.
August 19, 2013
I think Bill Moyers is one of the most intellectual patriots in journalism today. I love him, so I am a little biased in my view of this book. This consists of transcripts from the show with additional commentary by Moyers. It is packed with interesting interviews - historians, activists, poets, journalists, economists, and more such as, Michael Pollan, Howard Zinn, Barbara Ehrenreich, Jeremy Scahill, Mike Davis, Nell Painter, Jim Hightower, Maxine Hong Kingston -- need I say more? Just read it, it's pretty great.
September 20, 2011
Loved this book! Consisting of transcripts from the show with additional commentary by Moyers, it's packed with interviews with interesting historians, activists, poets, journalists, economists, and more from the last incarnation of his show, all of it still relevant right now. Michael Pollan, Howard Zinn, Barbara Ehrenreich, Jeremy Scahill, Mike Davis, Nell Painter, Jim Hightower, Maxine Hong Kingston -- need I say more? Just read it, it's pretty great.
March 20, 2012
A very interesting compilation of recent Bill Moyers' interviews with a variety of articulate, well-known (and some not so-well-known)Americans. Starts with Jon Stewart and includes interviews with Michael Pollan, Nikki Giovanni, Karen Armstrong, David Simon, and many others. I would highly recommend to those interested in information behind the sound bytes and headlines we often rely on for our "news."
April 6, 2014
This book of interviews offers a remarkable portrait of America, with an emphasis on counter-cultural and left-wing critiques. Having read this book, I find it hard to think of the US as a properly functioning democracy. Moyers' subject is how money has taken over politics and corruption or profit has colonised many areas of American life. The poets and intellectuals he meets here seem to be crying in the wideness. The form makes this so much more digestive than a polemic would be.
August 31, 2011
Moyers seems to ask thoughtful questions to these titans of the American left and middle. He leans to the populist, the faith based questioner and poet. I enjoyed hearing these lives who made me think about America and what it is and should be. I've ignored a lot just to make a living. Moyers paints an interesting picture of the late 20th and early 21st century.
January 6, 2012
I checked this book out from the library. Got just a few interviews in, and knew I had to own a copy. I love it that the first interview is with Jon Stewart. Then I just skipped around. Got Jeremiah Wright's side of the story (which I already understood, but wanted to hear it from him. All the interviews are really informative and show how brilliant Bill Moyers is.
August 18, 2012
Required reading for participants in democracy, the arts, and life. Just as a master photographer captures the faces behind the public mask, Moyers guides our best thinkers and writers to the most insightful ideas and useful "box openers" through entertaining and perceptive interview. He's the delivery-boy for great modern thought.
June 15, 2011
I've thoroughly enjoyed watching Moyers' various programs through the years but missed many of these particular interviews. Very thought-provoking, with people from many different viewpoints on religion, politics, and economics as well as quite a few poets.
July 9, 2011
This is an excellent book that gives insight to many of the influential people of our times. There are many interviews of different interesting people included.
I found this book very enjoyable and highly recommend it to everyone.
I found this book very enjoyable and highly recommend it to everyone.
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July 2, 2011Not as helpful for my tastes, but only because I was such an avid Bill Moyers Journal fan and heard a lot of these interviews before. It was nice however to hear some of them again. Great collection of visionaries providing insight into the workings of our nation.
June 15, 2015
Great short interviews with interesting people. Down side: Not necessarily something you want to just pick up and read. Did not finish it, but will probably check it out again and read about a few more people.
August 16, 2013
Bill Moyers insight into social injustice and interviews with those who are trying to make a change never gets old and is often inspiring, other times it is disappointing how little we've come since these interviews were conducted. We can only hope that the conversation continues.
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