Book Reviews

Digging Deeper: A Canadian Reporter's Research Guide, second edition

Jun 21, 2011 - Posted by Lauren McKeon

After a year of teaching with the text, J-Source asked two j-school profs what they thought of Robert Cribb, Dean Jobb, David McKie, Fred Vallance-Jones' second edition of Digging Deeper: A Canadian Reporter's Research Guide. Here's what they had to say.

Review: The End of Iceland's Innocence

May 12, 2011 - Posted by Lauren McKeon

In the opening pages of The End of Iceland's Innocence, author Daniel Chartier accuses media of sensationalizing the facts to "create an ethos" with readers, and, as a result, of making the situation worse for Iceland. Not so fast, writes reviewer Claude Adams.

When even narrow objectives fall short

May 10, 2011 - Posted by Lauren McKeon

A few months ago, Christie Blatchford released Helpless: Caledonia's Nightmare of Fear and Anarchy, and How the Law Failed All of Us. The best work in the book, writes reviewer David Swick, is thoughtful, well-researched, and delivered with punch .But what about the rest? And, why don't we hear from one occupational leader in all 258 pages?

Reporting for the Media, Canadian edition

Mar 01, 2011 - Posted by Dana Lacey

Reporting for the Media, Canadian Edition is the first ever Canadian edition of a American text that was developed nearly 35 years ago. Joy Crysdale reviews a traditional text's approach to modern day reporting.

Finding the words

Feb 23, 2011 - Posted by Dana Lacey

What do words reveal? How do you describe the pain -- the sheer anxiety -- of getting those words from brain to paper to the streets? What do you do in that uncertain space between publication and the Next Great Idea? 31 Canadian writers talk inspiration, desire and breaking the rules in new anthology Finding The Words. Dana Lacey reviews.

New textbook: Global Journalism Ethics

Feb 22, 2011 - Posted by Dana Lacey

In his Literary Review of Canada review of Stephen JA Ward's new textbook, Global Journalism Ethics, Paul Knox writes: "This is not a quick reference deadline handbook for deciding whether to report a suicide or run a gory photograph. Rather, it is an admonition to practise journalism as part of a reflective, ethical life, drawing widely from ancient and modern thought."

Peace Meals: A Book Review

Dec 21, 2010 - Posted by Claude Adams

In Peace Meals: Candy-Wrapped Kalashnikovs and Other War Stories, correspondent Anna Badkhen writes about conflict and food, and how sharing a meal in "the most forlorn and violent places on earth" can be a reassertion of life itself. A review by Claude Adams.

The evolution of Minifie journalism lectures

Nov 23, 2010 - Posted by Dana Lacey

The symbol -30- traditionally signifies the end of a story. It’s also the title of an anthology of the first three decades of the annual Minifie public lectures on journalism at the University of Regina. Catherine McKercher reviews the evolution of the annual lecture.

The rebirth of media and marketing

Oct 19, 2010 - Posted by Dana Lacey

Newspapers, magazines, TV and advertising as we know them may be doomed, but that’s not necessarily bad news, writes Bob Garfield: Welcome to the Golden Age of marketing and media. Marc Edge reviews Garfield’s new book, The Chaos Scenario.

Journalism's heroines

Sep 21, 2010 - Posted by Dana Lacey

Julianna McDermott Fearless Female Journalists, a new book by veteran journalist Joy Crysdale, chronicles the lives and careers of almost a dozen stand-out women journalists, reminding us how far we've come - and how far we've yet to go. Reviewed by Julianna McDermott.