Jill Abramson

Jill Abramson gave herself an unwinnable task when she set out to write an interesting book about a golden retriever. Goldens may be many marvellous things, but interesting is not one of them. I have had two goldens, and though much loved, I could tell you all that is worth sharing about them in five minutes or less.

When it comes down to it, the real challenge for the author of a dog book is to use art to prevent the dreaded "but it's just a freakin' dog" thought from entering the reader's show more head. Certainly one's own dog is never "just a freakin' dog", however the reader who must sit through a few hundred pages about someone else's dog, is very susceptible to having this very thought. I confess that I had it multiple times while I was reading The Puppy Diaries. Some dog books succeed brilliantly in getting at the heart of why dogs, strangely but wonderfully, mean so much to us. Colter by Rick Bass, comes to mind, and to a lesser extent, Following Atticus by Tom Ryan. As for The Puppy Diaries, it doesn't even come close. show less

Merchants of Truth: The Business of News and the Fight for Facts by Jill Abramson, narrated by January LaVoy.
In this non-fiction presentation, Abramson, the former executive editor of the New York Times, who has been accused of plagiarism, attempts to explain what has happened to the print news industry and why. Using the New York Times, the Washington Post, Vice and Buzzfeed as primary examples, she shows how the digital news platform has been the catalyst for the demise of the print show more newspaper industry that was once in the vanguard of news presentation!
Most of the facts presented are already known, but she organizes them to illustrate how the people responsible for the loss of interest in reading print news and for the surge in demand for information from a sound bite, have catered to the lowest echelon of society. The news that the early digital companies presented consisted largely of trash with which to attract and titillate, to shock and capture an audience largely interested in negative content of any kind, smut, gossip, etc. The more confounding the news was, the better it was received. The audience originally attracted consisted of the lowest mean common denominator of society, those who wallowed in hateful behavior, erotica, and their own need for fifteen minutes of fame. The digital news innovators had no moral or ethical standards to follow, and quite possibly, none of their own either. Their only guideline was to reach people and create a viral incident online which would create a sensation. For sure, their mantra was not “all the news that’s fit to print”, rather the more unfit it was, the better. Abramson attempts to explain how that original idea morphed from presenting semi-real and sometimes fake news to also publicizing real news. Overall, however, the effort was to create crowd appeal above all.
The fact that Americans and others are much more interested in yellow journalism than honest journalism that used to act as the fourth estate, overseeing the wrongs of society, is really the most disheartening fact that I got out of the book. The fact that the public would rather read garbage, rumors, canards, and fake news headlines that stun them, than actually learn about what is really occurring, is extremely dismaying.
Discreditable and dishonorable, shadowy sources of news are often the most successful purveyors of information, blocking out the more respectable and honorable news outlets. Clickbait is sought over authentic news. Society is being brainwashed by news services with no standards of honor. The digital platform is how most of the future generations will expand their knowledge of the world, and it is woefully unconcerned about respect for others, honorable behavior toward others or the truthful presentation of information to the world.
Under this cloud of media frenzy that wishes only to gain headlines, is it any wonder that an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez can gain notoriety even when she spouts nonsense? Is it any wonder that those who call others names are actually guilty of name calling but get away with it? The recent incident with the golfer Matt Kuchar whose tip for his caddy became hot news, is a prime example of what we have become, and the picture is not pretty. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone wants to voice it on some platform.
Utube, the Drudge Report and other non-mainstream sources, once marginalized, are now in the forefront and often break news stories without proper vetting. They are excused because they are not mainstream news outlets.
I find it a sad commentary on the world today that we cater to ignorance and sensationalism, exaggeration and even outright lies to attract an audience. Is it any wonder that President Trump uses Twitter? How is it different than the methods used by any other news source? He wants to make headlines too! Since the so-called mainstream media won’t give him a moment of positive coverage on their platforms, he attempts to create his own.
This is how a generation of young people wants to get its information. They are impatient and sometimes, not even very learned or literate. They do not do their own research to discover facts; they are lazy and ill informed by choice. They want the easy way out for everything because, after all, this is the generation that got a trophy merely for breathing in the presence of an event!
This book has more value in the way in which it exposes the trash that news has become, the garbage that it has produced at the expense of truth, and the loss of a platform that once acted as a check and a balance on the government, as an ethical source of information and as a tool to educate the masses. It is a sad commentary on the state of affairs we must face in the future. show less

An enchanting tale of the trials, tribulations and joys of raising a puppy.

In The Puppy Diaries you meet and get to tag along with the author Jill and her husband Henry as they raise their beautiful dog named Scout from puppy through early adulthood. Their story begins with their introduction of Buddy a feisty Westie, Jill's first dog. Scout however joined the Abramson's later in their life after they had raised their children and became empty-nesters. The story of Buddy left me teary eyed, show more as a dog owner I certainly could relate to having to watch a precious family pet suffer and it surfaced many memories for me. As every pet owner knows, eventually that dreaded day does come when for whatever reason or circumstances we must say our goodbyes to our beloved pet. After losing Buddy Jill struggles with wanting to adopt another dog. She has many worries. Will she love her next dog just as much as she loved Buddy? Jill feels it is to soon once friends and family begin to offer her ideas for acquiring another dog. However a couple years later Henry is soon in love with a certain breed, an almost snow white Golden Retriever and begins to lure Jill toward a breeder. Soon after Jill and Henry adopt Scout and an enchanting tale begins.

I got to share in their joy as Jill and Henry get their pick from the litter, go shopping for those exciting first dog toys, treats and other goodies new dog owners just can't pass up. Just like bringing a new baby home a comparison Jill makes in her book many times. As all true pet owners know that pet excitement is short lived and the real responsibilities begin once that pup is brought home. First living in a country like setting in Connecticut then moving to an apartment in New York City Scout has to adjust to these changes. Jill takes us through all Scout's good and bad days, the chewing stages, socializing, walks, even puppy obedience class. All the joys, frustrations and mishaps that come with dog ownership are chronicled for the reader. All loving dog owners know we only want the best for our dogs but sometimes they can bring out the worst in us. Which leaves Jill wondering many times how she will make it through another day of Scout dragging her through the streets of New York City without getting hit by a taxi or other vehicle. The ironic part of this story is that Jill does get hit by a vehicle in New York City, actually a truck and ends up seriously injured but she was actually alone when this happens.

Throughout the book you get to learn the quirks and habits of Jill and Henry and why Scout acts the way she does. There are many surprises along the way in this book and many I could relate to. Like the husband not watching the dog and the wife coming home to a mishap, while he is distracted, which ends up with the couple arguing. Sometimes this feels like the dog is driving a wedge between the couple, just like when a baby comes along. This book has so many similar situations like my own life with our dogs, which is why I loved this book so much from the beginning to the very end. I would recommend this audiobook to any dog lover or any one contemplating getting a dog. If you have or have had a dog you will easily relate to Jill's daily routines, rules and training approaches when it comes to her life with Scout. Including being dragged around when going for a walk with your dog, until you figure out what works to slow the race or finding out that their weight or size as predicted when you acquire the dog as a pup is not what you get once they are done growing. show less

I don't read books -- or watch movies -- where the dog dies. And that's why a book about the first year of a dog's life is perfect for me. True, Abramson reflects on the loss of her previous dogs, but since we don't get to know them as intimately as we know Scout, their stories are touching but not overly sad. And that's the reason that this memoir would be a perfect gift for someone who has just gotten a puppy, particularly someone who has had dogs in the past. Our family just adopted a new show more puppy after losing our older dog last November and this book functioned as a funny and touching reminder of what lies in store for us, as well as reinforcement that we aren't the only pet owners who aren't sure if a new puppy can ever be loved as much as the one we lost. (She can. She is.) Good dog, Scout. Good book, Jill. show less