Matthew Lysiak

An interesting look into the phenomenon that is the Drudge Report. I remember the early days of the internet, and of the Drudge Report. How the proprietor of it, Matt Drudge, was always managing to "scoop" the major networks in breaking news. And of the unique format of his news page, that being no actual stories, but just links to other's reporting and stories. It was all quite fascinating, and seemed to be a radical step in news coverage.
Then along came President Clinton, and the Monica Lewinsky story. Drudge seemed to be always in the know, and one step ahead of all the other media. One might even say that Drudge is responsible for the whole sordid affair being exposed.
The author traces the background and history of both Matt Drudge and his Drudge Report. Although, after reading the book, you come to realize that both entities are really one and the same, and cannot be separated.
Famously reclusive, Drudge does not participate at all in the book. In fact, you have to come to the conclusion that there is actually something rather off about Drudge. If not for his finding his niche in developing the news page, I can imagine him being one of those malcontents that you see on the park bench, raving at imaginary ghosts and demons. Even without his participation, the author does an amazing job of ferreting out information. You're left with a very good picture of Drudge, and of what makes him tick.
Lysiak's reporting on the actual Report is also very good. He traces what it came from, how it got to where it is today, the people who had a hand in the Report daily, and of where it may be going in the future.
The author also explains how Matt Drudge may be the main reason Trump was elected. How his teaming with Trump advisors tipped the scale in favor of Trump. Drudge was responsible for Breitbart, Bannon, Limbaugh (to a large extent), and even helping Fox News.
And the author explains how Drudge may not even be that much of a conservative. His background and personality certainly don't seem to fit with the conservative movement. No, his overriding purpose in life seems to be poking people in the eye. And, in his eyes, who better than what he feels is the "long-standing" liberal stranglehold on information".
An excellent book.… (plus d'informations)

The author takes us into the story of the tragic day of December 14, 2012 where 20 children and 6 educators were killed during a school shooting in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. Adam Lanza shot his mom, then went to the school on a killing spree, then killed himself. But not before changing the lives of everyone in this town forever.

The author discusses the children, the tragedy, and the aftermath in the year following the tragedy. Drawn from first hand accounts, emails, police reports, and interviews, the author pieces this horrible tragedy together.

I had a hard time with this book. And not because it was written poorly (the writing was okay), but the story is incredibly tragic. I didn't live far from Newtown when the tragedy happened, and my youngest two children are the same age as the children killed that day. Not a day goes by that I don't think of those children and think what they would now be like as 12 year old children. On how much my children have done in the last 5 1/2 years that these children will never get to experience.

I cried with each chapter. The story is very very hard to read. The details of the day and how those children suffered and the children who survived - what they saw and heard - is almost too much to comprehend. They were babies.

Since Sandy Hook, there have been many more school shootings. Too many. And nothing changes. I have always said - if nothing changed after 20 innocent 6 year olds were killed - then nothing will.

Take a look at this story. Make sure you have your kleenex near by.
… (plus d'informations)

This is a difficult book to talk about, especially knowing how many of my fellow LT-ers live in the US. As a Brit who, like most people here, has never even SEEN a gun that isn't being worn by a soldier outside an army barracks or by armed security in an airport, mass shootings are one of the few areas of life where America, so similar to us in so many ways, suddenly seems like another planet. I found this book fascinating, sad, respectful, compelling and gratifyingly well-balanced. It tackles Sandy Hook from multiple angles - the children and their families, their teachers, the Lanzas, the events of December 14 2012 and the subsequent days in Newtown - before looking at the roles of various elements such as mental health care, media, gun control and community, and the way these elements continue to impact on EVERYONE involved, from those at the heart of the shooting (victims and survivors) out into the town and beyond to the rest of the country. It was hard to read at times - so much loss, pain and rage - and sometimes I had to stop because I was in tears or just needed a breather, but I thought it was an excellent account and surprisingly fair and objective, albeit written in a slightly overblown style that betrays its author's tabloid newspaper roots. One of the best books I've read this year so far.… (plus d'informations)