Book summary

THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULERS is a prime example of the energetic investigative journalism and trenchant commentary that are the marks of Amy Goodman's syndicated radio show, DEMOCRACY NOW, which provides a liberal alternative to the more widespread conservative talk-radio network. Very much in the tradition of I.F. Stone, Goodman does the legwork and the heavy lifting to expose government corruption and malfeasance and what she sees as a misuse of power. Her reports address topics such as the Patriot Act, Halliburton's war profiteering, and the true reason (oil) behind the incursion into Iraq. Some of the book is memoir, as Goodman recalls being attacked by government troops while on assignment in East Timor, as well as a less dangerous but much odder experience: the taping of the Sally Jessy Raphael show where Goodman represented antiwar views. Goodman criticizes both Democrats and Republicans, believing that power corrupts wherever it resides. (An on-the-air interview with Bill Clinton ends badly when she pushes him on issues he would rather avoid.) One of the recurring themes of THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULERS is the failure of the American news media, which Goodman accuses of merely rewriting government news feeds and of not digging out the story behind the story--and she is, of course, against the practice of embedding journalists. Her media targets include not only famously conservative ones, but also the New York Times, CNN, and NPR. In her book, Goodman shows them all how it's done. Her many radio listeners will appreciate her blunt but well-reasoned views, as she continues to speak truth to power.

Media reviews

"Goodman isn't about to let anyone slide by with easy explanations....And she is fierce and tireless in her commitment to dig behind official versions of the facts to get to very different stories."