"There is much to be learned from the book's point-by-point analysis and...appeal for higher standards in journalism."--The New York Times "Jamieson has authored a number of substantial books about politics, and her latest does not disappoint."--National Journal "A disturbing picture of how poorly the media cover political discourse [and] why the press so often fails."--Denver Post "Based on meticulous research and pretty well scrubbed free of bias, this highly readable book is the latest work in an established vein of media criticism aimed at telling us why we are getting short-changed and telling reporters how to improve.... The book's analysis of what has gone wrong and what is likely to go wrong in the future constitutes a well-judged and useful dissection of our flawed media."--The New Leader "There is much to be learned from the book's point-by-point analysis and...appeal for higher standards in journalism."--Alexander Stille, New York Times "A savvy critique."--Booklist "A disturbing picture of how poorly the media covers political discourse [and] why the press so often fails."--Denver Post "This important book demonstrates that media distortion is far too complex and insidious to be explained by mere liberal or conservative bias."--Library Journal (starred review) "Based on meticulous research and pretty well scrubbed free of bias, this highly readable book is the latest work in an established vein of media criticism aimed at telling us why we are getting short-changed and telling reporters how to improve.... The book's analysis of what has gone wrong and what is likely to go wrong in the future constitutes a well-judged and useful dissection of our flawed media."--Andrew J. Glass, The New Leader "This fascinating, well-documented critique of the national press makes the case that the mainstream media doesn't so much report the news as they create it, especially when journalists 'transform the raw stuff of experience into presumed fact and arrange facts into coherent stories.'... Jamieson and Waldman's analysis is eye opening, and much of it is highly provocative. Intelligent and timely, this is an important addition to the literature on media and current events."--Publishers Weekly "A valuable guide for understanding the political dimensions of contemporary communications. Their close analysis of specific cases and stories leads to a comprehensive argument about modern media in public life.... Among its many virtues, The Press Effect resoundingly puts to rest the mindless cliches of partisan media bias favoring one side--the left-liberal perspective. Serious research shows many other factors shape what reporters do and what the public knows. This scholarly yet accessible critique argues that 'the most critical obligation of journalists is to act as the custodians of fact.' Those facts, slippery and murky though they may be, shouldn't be forced into closed, 'frames' that prevent people from seeing the complicated reality of this nation's political life."--Commonweal "Jamieson has authored a number of substantial books about politics, and her latest does not disappoint."--National Journal

Kathleen Hall Jamieson is Elizabeth Ware Packard Professor of Communication at the Annenberg School for Communication and Director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of Packaging the Presidency and Eloquence in an Electronic Age. Paul Waldman is a senior researcher at the Annenberg Public Policy Center. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.