A Shameless Plug
Tuesday, Sept. 25 is the official release date of Baer's book about PA politics; this is a shameless plug promoting the work.
A Shameless Plug
John Baer, Daily News Political Columnist
This is a shameless plug.
Tuesday, Sept. 25 is the official release date of my book, "On the Front Lines of Pennsylvania Politics: Twenty-Five Years of Keystone Reporting."
You all should read this book. It is fun.
This is despite the fact that my publisher, The History Press, didn't like my working title, "Pennsylvania Politics: You'll Laugh, You'll Cry, You'll Form a Mob."
It's also despite the fact my publisher didn't like my idea for back-of-the-book blurbs. I wanted Ed Rendell, for example, to say, "Please don't read this book." I wanted Arlen Specter to say, "I haven't read it but I know it's wrong." And I wanted Bobby Casey to say, "All I know about Baer is my father never liked him."
But no. My publisher went with a blurb from former Daily News editor (now Committee of Seventy boss) Zack Stalberg, who wrote the forward which, by the way, is also fun.
The book is an irreverent look at state politics and its many characters. It includes behind-the-scenes stuff, my favorite political stories of the past quarter-century, has lots of pictures and even some toons from our Pulitizer Prize cartoonist Signe Wilkinson (thanks, Sig).
I'd also mention it's not too soon to start thinking about holiday gift-giving. I'm sure friends and family members who enjoy politics (and laughing) would be delighted to have a copy. Or two.
Also, if you work for an academic institution or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, I think this book should be required reading for all incoming students and citizens.
It's available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble sites and you can direct-link to it on The History Press site: https://historypress.net/catalogue/bookstore/books/On-the-Front-Lines-of-Pennsylvania-Politics/9781609497156
How partisan is it? If your book is fair, I'd consider paying money to read it. As it is, sometimes (not all the time) your bias is so glaringly obvious, I would be offended if I paid good money for it. (Ironically, this also applies to subscriptions to the DN or Inq)— sadim- These guys are indeed biased.....if you consider Fox News fair and balanced. Otherwise, they give it to us straight for the most part. Understand, though, that commentators give opinions---that reflect their biases (which we all have). However, both papers reflect both liberal and conservative views. You have to read papers critically---if you think these papers are liberal, try reading the Guardian sometime. We really do not have a true left wing press in this company.— Palestra Jon
- ..make that "country", not "company"— Palestra Jon
- I thought "Shameless Plug" was going to be a reference to Joe Biden's hair.— Mr. Smith
- You'd think a professional author would know the difference between a "forward" and the opening to a book written by someone familiar to the author and or his subject, which is a "foreword". Shame on you, Baer.
- What's wrong with plugging your own book. Afterall, Bunch has his book listed on his blog. Now the question is who will buy and read this book? We know liberals will not buy the book unless it is someone else's money used to purchase it. Conservatives will not buy because they do not believe in your leftist, sorry independent political bias. If you rely on the 5-6% who claim to be independents, you'll starve. So what is left, get the book approved on a college reading list, then the poor college students will be forced to purchase it.— junethe4th
- Hahaha. Forward and not foreword. Guess John was still in Barry campaign mode...
Baer the professional journalist misspells words all the time. Shouldn't really need an editor for a blog post.— Wiseman6
John is the author of the book "On The Front Lines of Pennsylvania Politics: Twenty-Five Years of Keystone Reporting" (The History Press, 2012). Reach John at baerj@phillynews.com.
