Category: Reading Review

Looking at Pulitzer Prize Photographs is an impactful, gripping experience to say the least. It is humbling and tear-jerking. Some pictures inspire, while others mortify and sadden. The experience of flipping through them in a book makes the experience tangible. Gliding a hand across a photograph printed on slightly textured paper adds to the realness of each moment.

The Pulitzer Prize Photographs: Capture the Moment is a collection of Pulitzer Prize Photographs and the stories of the places and people in and behind them. The book was edited by Cyma Rubin and Eric Newton, and my 2007 Edition was published by Business of Entertainment Inc. and, notably, the Newseum, Partner of WJMC.

I am not sure how I could go about “reviewing” this book, per se. I have no “favorite” picture. It is hard for me to say which pages were most impactful because each and every one left some impression with me. I would recommend this book for everyone, but not at every age or situation in life. For example, I would not recommend it to a young child and might not suggest it to someone already dealing with grief. The book is also one that is best taken slowly, so a person can consume each image and pay each moment the respect it deserves. It is impossible to get the full depth and meaning of each image by simply flipping through the pages. On the other hand, spending much time analyzing the horrific scenes in several of the images can be a very difficult experience.

Instead of giving a full review of this book, then, I will describe my first encounter with it. Before I received my own copy in the mail, before said copy was purchased, before I had registered for WJMC or even knew what it was, I encountered this book of the Pulitzer Prize Photographs in the classroom setting.

It was my sophomore year of high school, and I was enrolled in a World History class with a young teacher named Ms. Nusser. Now, from an outside perspective, our World History class was fairly traditional. We read from our textbooks, took notes over lectures, took tests, and wrote essays. We covered major world events from the Gutenberg Printing Press to World War II, from the story of Christopher Columbus (the not-so-glorified version) to Apartheid in South Africa. However, Ms. Nusser was always challenging us to look at history from multiple perspectives, to see each record of history as its own historical narrative that was part of the greater passage of time. She was relatable and fun but also strict, and she challenged us to study harder and learn more than many of us had ever had to before. As a foundation for each unit, we were required to know a base of historical context but were encouraged to grow our critical thinking skills beyond that, asking more Why? questions and following up with thoughtful analyses.

One of the highlights of Ms. Nusser’s class was what we would do on Thursday mornings. Thursday was simply known by World-History takers as “Triple-P Day,” or, really, Pulitzer Prize Photographs Day. As soon as the other students and I entered the classroom, “Triple P” would begin. We would quietly take our seats and look up at the whiteboard, which would show a projected photograph from the book Capture the Moment. We were provided no context for the image and were told to stay quiet, take out a piece of paper, and just WRITE!

For the first two minutes, we were to write down Observations of the image. Were there people? What did the setting, the environment look like? Was something happening and, if so, what? Was the image in black and white, or was it in color?

Focusing on making observations helped us to spot things we may not have noticed with a quick glance at each photograph. When we would discuss our observations later, one of us might point out an odd hat that someone in the background was wearing. We would know specific details like the number of people in each photo. My fellow students and I would point out “Easter egg” objects, things that were not obvious at first but became clear as day when pointed out. Overall, the exercise of observing made us better-informed viewers. It was almost like the ultimate Where’s Waldo? game except we were never looking for one thing in particular, and what we were finding was always real.

After we had written down our observations, we would be given a couple minutes to write down any Questions we had, like why are the people fighting? Who is that man sitting down? What happened here? What happened next?

Finally, we would be given about one minute to write down Predictions we had about the image. What did we think was happening? What continent, country, or even city did we guess the photograph had been taken in based on the setting and environment? What year did we think it had been taken, based on the quality of the image or the way people were dressed?

All of these observations, questions, and predictions made us better critical-thinkers, better witnesses of history, and better students. They made us take the time to appreciate photography as not just an art form but also as a historical record of humanity. I am grateful to Ms. Nusser for challenging me as a student and for helping me to see history with an open mind and fresh eyes. I am also grateful for the professionals who put together Capture the Moment, so it can stand as a testament to human stories worth remembering. Finally, I am thankful for the Pulitzer-Prize winning photographers themselves. They have witnessed incredible and sometimes horrible moments, often traveling miles upon miles and putting their lives on the line to get those “perfect shots” that have transformed the way we remember history, the way we look at the world around us, and finally, the way we decide to move forward. The world would not be the same without them.

Emma here with another Reading Review, except this is not quite a Reading Review at all. The Red-Hot Career Guide for News Reporting is a book of questions that might be asked in a job interview. I decided that instead of giving a review of the guide, it would be more appropriate to answer some of the questions myself in a get-to-know-me style, changing the questions so they apply to my personal experience.

Thus, without further ado, let us begin!

1. What are your standards of success in a job and how do you know when you are successful?

I would say that my primary standard for success would be asking myself, Did I achieve the desired outcome? In other words, did I accomplish what I set out to do? I also think that success is measured in how efficiently and cost-effectively a job was done. For example, in my position as a graphic designer for a printing business that operates through my high school, I know I am successful when I am able to design something effective that meets the goals and budgets of my clients. I feel that I am more successful with something I produce when I also know I used my time and own resources wisely.

2. Are you the type to check your inbox on vacation?

Yes! I may not check it as routinely as I would with my normal schedule, but I try to check my email daily whether I am on duty or not.

3. How has your birth order made you who you are?

I am the first child of two in my family. Having a younger sister has definitely taught me responsibility and interpersonal skills over the years. I am also the oldest of seven grandchildren on my dad’s side of the family. Being the oldest child has always required me to look out for others and be a leader. It probably made me grow up faster, too, because there is all the more reason to be mature and act properly when little eyes are watching.

4. How do you feel about mathematics?

I love math! I enjoy the challenge of problem-solving in math classes. When I was little, my father would always put me on the spot and ask me math questions when we were in the car together. I used to be nervous that I’d get a problem wrong, but I loved the rush when I came to a correct answer! Now, in my math classes, I no longer get as nervous when I’m put on the spot, but I still enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with finding the right answer to a difficult problem after critical thinking and meticulous work.

5. Why is there fuzz on a tennis ball?

I think it probably has something to do with friction. Tennis balls have to move and bounce very fast, so I would reason that why tennis balls have fuzz is that it helps them to bounce off tennis courts and racquets easier. Perhaps whoever made the first tennis ball also thought it would make for softer contact if someone got hit during a match. The fuzz also makes a tennis ball unique from other sports balls, so perhaps the fuzz is also to identify a tennis ball from, say, a softball. Of course, perhaps tennis balls are just not that into getting hair cuts.

Savage News is my favorite of the Reading List books so far. The imagined narrative of want-to-be White House Correspondent Natalie Savage is charming, witty, and unapologetically real. Jessica Yellin brings her experience as former CNN Chief White House Correspondent and knowledge of media politics into a well-crafted novel that shines.

First Impression: There’s a novel on the Reading List! I was quite thrilled to discover this. While I do enjoy reading nonfiction, picking up a book of this style made for a nice interlude before I returned to the others on my list. However, the inspiration from this book certainly did not come from fantasy. I was particularly intrigued going into the book with how Yellin’s personal experience as a White House correspondent would play into her description of lead character Natalie Savage’s efforts to earn her stripes and enter the same career role.

Post-Reading Thoughts: “Timely” is the word for Savage News. For instance, readers will find the #MeToo Movement to be much closer to the surface than the undertones of this book. Yellin uses her voice to “be noisy” in Savage News about serious workplace issues surrounding sexual harassment and gender inequality. She does so with an expert balance of frankness and sensitivity. The story also features recognizable elements like the ever-growing importance of social media in our society and even an imagined e-newsletter providing helpful narration for the story titled The Earlybird, which reminded me of my own daily doses of e-news from theSkimm.

Most true to the times, however, is Natalie Savage herself. Savage is relatable, admirable, flawed, and a triumph. She’s a modern heroine for the young, savvy working woman: a go-getter and a “stairs person,” someone who climbs her own way to the top. Meanwhile, Savage struggles to find a balance between work and her personal life; she wrestles to maintain professional integrity while making bold headlines. Reading her story of determination and sacrifice, I could not but root for a happy ending. Regardless of its fiction, Savage News brings light to real issues faced by working women and an exciting, highly sought-after career. I recommend Savage News to anyone who hopes to break chains of silence and seek truth (or anyone looking for a fresh voice and a good summer read!).

Lastly, I’ll leave you with this piece of advice from Savage (but, really, Yellin) herself: “Be noisy!”

I have been working my way through the Reading List rather slowly. The problem is I tell myself I will just skim a book, but then I start it and get so engrossed that I find it difficult to skip over a single word! I faced this dilemma with the most recent book I read, As I Saw It: A Reporter’s Intrepid Journey, the memoir of Emmy-Award winning journalist Marvin Scott. The book details many of the stories Scott has covered throughout his career, from the exciting and outrageous to the serious and grim. I enjoyed Scott’s style of writing, which contributed to making his book a very interesting read.

Before I jump too far ahead of myself, though, I should probably follow the format of these reading reviews and tell you about my first thoughts on the book.

First Impression: I am looking forward to reading these stories! Perhaps that is a bland way to put it, but I was truly eager to give this book a shot. If you read this excerpt from the inside flap of the cover, you may understand why: “Scott brings us Burt and Linda Pugach, the couple whose lifelong marriage was forged in deadly obsession; Abraham Zapruder, who shot history’s most infamous piece of film; Charlie Walsh, the everyman hero who gave the banks a run for their money; and Stephanie Collado, the eleven-year-old girl who needed a heart and touched his.”

I applaud whoever wrote this compelling teaser, whether it was Scott himself or a member of his publishing team. As a side note, I also have to compliment Mark Karis, who designed the book jacket and did, in my opinion, very nice work with it.

I also had a good first impression of Scott himself after reading the preface by Dan Rather, which I will also quote here because I particularly liked Rather’s choice of words. He wrote of Scott, “He sought to be, then became and now remains, dedicated to quality journalism of integrity, always trying to be accurate and fair while at the same time pulling no punches and playing no favorites. As a reporter, he’s hard-nosed but softhearted, skeptical – especially of power and powerful people, as a good reporter should be – but never cynical.”

Something about those words struck a chord with me, and I just remember hoping I could learn something from this journalist who was spoken of so admirably by another notable professional in his field. If not before, I was certainly looking forward to this book after reading the preface.

Post-Reading-Thoughts: Without knowing it, I had dived into decades of U.S. history, learning more than I had anticipated about many of our country’s notable moments. It was incredible how much Scott has covered in his career, from wars to the space race to historic figures to horrific tragedies. There was crime, a crazy love story, the Beatles, plane crashes, fake alien invasions, Christmas in Afghanistan, a story involving boxer shorts, another about Marilyn Monroe, and more all in a single book. Reading each new chapter was something akin to reading a fascinating news report fresh off the press. Even though some of the events Scott covered took place as early as the 1960s, I almost always felt like I was reading a just-released exclusive story.

I also felt a strong sense of humanity when reading this book. Scott, like everyone else in this world, is not perfect. However, he has been persistent in telling stories that matter. My mind immediately goes to the chapter about Stephanie Collado, a young heart patient whose strong faith that lasted through the end of her life is still inspiring today, and to the intertwined grief, horror, and hope that surrounded the tragedy of 9/11. I am amazed by the stories of U.S. soldiers overseas whose bravery and pride in our nation has endured despite the tragedies of war, and I am grateful for sacrifices made daily by our troops and their families. I am also amazed at the ability of people to rise up from hardship, from loss, and from mistakes. These were all thoughts on my mind as I read Scott’s story of stories.

I plan to end all of my reading reviews with a note on to whom I would recommend each book. I would say that this one would certainly be appropriate for anyone with a passion for news. This one is for the people with a weekly subscription to the local paper who look forward to the day it gets dropped off at their door, for those who could spend hours each evening watching perhaps CNN or Fox News before they fall asleep at night, for aspiring young journalists, for the information seekers, for those who desire truth, and for the people out there who simply love to learn for the sake of learning. There is something for nearly everyone in this book and also some things that are not for everyone. One great thing about this book is that the type of story varies between section. Whether you are fascinated by crime, war, space, celebrities, history, or everyday heroes, there is likely something in this book for you.

A Note on the Word Intrepid: Before getting far into my reading, I made a point of looking up the word intrepid to find its exact definition, due to the word’s location in the book’s title. Upon a quick Google search, I found this definition: “fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect).” 

While reading this book, I found many examples of fearlessness and adventurousness, no rhetoric or humorous take required. Thus, I much preferred the definition Dan Rather provided in the Preface for intrepid: “being of resolute fearlessness, fortitude, and endurance.” By this definition, I think there is something everyone can admire about being intrepid and having the ambition and courage to tell the stories of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Right now, the main part of my preparation for WJMC is going through the Reading List. I am aiming to read as many books as I can before the conference and then review them on this blog. My bookshelf at home already has a tall stack of to-be-read “WJMC books!” I am very eager to learn from experienced journalists by reading about their careers and lives. I also simply enjoy reading, so I am really embracing this assignment.

The first book I read from the list was Sometimes You Have to Cross When It Says Don’t Walk: A Memoir of Breaking Barriers by Lesley Visser. I was able to get the eBook, which allowed me to start right away instead of waiting on the book to come in through the mail (My local libraries do not have any of the Reading List books, so I have ordered most of the books through Amazon).

The story follows Visser’s journey from childhood into the world of sports journalism. Early in the book, Visser explains how she was inspired by her mother’s advice to “cross when it says ‘don’t walk'” to pursue what had previously been a career for only men. She tells her story of breaking barriers and how she became the first female to do such things as be recognized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and present the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Visser recalls how difficult it was to finally enter and be respected in sports locker rooms as a female journalist and also details cherished memories with numerous colleagues, athletes, and coaches.

I was surprised by how much I connected with and appreciated this book and hope that my review below will be useful to anyone considering reading Sometimes You Have to Cross When It Says Don’t Walk.

First Impression: This woman is impressive. As I read through the synopsis and first chapter of the book, I was already amazed by Visser’s career list of accomplishments and experiences. After all, she had covered the Olympics and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Visser knew what reporting was like for football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and even horse racing! I took some notes on the first chapter of the book, and one of them was “(To have done all of this), she must be very well-spoken and well-rounded (and just well because it sounds like she had to be very mobile throughout her career!).”

As someone who has never been very deeply interested in sports, I was not sure how much I would be able to relate to Visser’s story. However, her humor and voice struck me at once as light and appealing. I particularly appreciated the line that states, “My husband says if I win one more Pioneer Award, I have to wear a coonskin cap,” which I credit for getting me hooked.

Post-Reading Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book far more than I had anticipated I would considering my limited knowledge of sports. I have so many favorite quotes from Visser (ex. “Humor goes further than anger, and no, we can’t all look like Beyoncé” and “Think big, think small, but take a chance. And don’t forget to write thank-you notes”). I liked how honest she was, how she told her story like she saw it without glossing over even embarrassing details. I also enjoyed her wit and was awed by her bravery and perseverance.

Her advice for young women hoping to enter the field of journalism found towards the end of the book (particularly in Chapters 21 and 25) really inspired me. I think this book is probably a must-read for any sports lover interested in journalism (and, likewise, any journalist interested in sports). However, I would definitely also suggest it to other young women like me who are interested in journalism, whether or not they care for sports. In fact, I would possibly suggest it for young women who are not even interested in journalism but are looking to pursue any male-dominated career because I found Visser’s message to be empowering and her story to be still relevant today.