Review: Well-researched look at a controversial figure
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 14, 2013
This book is an expose of not only Paula Deen, but of the media mongers who literally pounce on public figures with no regard for facts, intelligence or dignity. Of course, Deen is not entirely innocent, but it is very interesting to see how the author of this volume uses cutting edge social media research in combination with traditional research to successfully make the case that our perception of celebrities and public figures is so easily shaped - far too easily shaped.The writing is clear, stimulating and swift. Without getting over complicated, the author takes us through issues that we wouldn't normally think about and adds a lot of value by teaching us not only about the media in general, but about how it works differently in different parts of the country to shape public perception in different ways. This was particularly enlightening, especially in the Deen case, where media representations ranged from everything from tabloids to The New Yorker.I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Deen, in the media and in cutting edge journalism.