Very well written book. Anyone who loves politics as a sport will enjoy this. Politics is dirty and dysfunctional yet, we love it. There are a couple of boring parts but the rest of the book compensates for it. It’s a little too real as we do live in a similar world. Fair warning, it is a quick read

I don't ever think I have read a book quite like this. In a smart and fascinating way, Potter shows just how media and politics have become intertwined and re-defined politics. What a book!

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to review this book. I admit in my joy at joining NetGalley I may have been overzealous in my requesting numbers. As this book has already been published, I am choosing to work on the current upcoming publish date books in my que. As I complete those I will work on my backlogged request and will provide a review at that time. I again send my sincere thanks and apologies.

Claire Bond Potter should be commended for her terrific, even-handed job of showing the genesis of today's "Political Junkies" by explaining how alternative media have helped shape today's political climate.

While the country debates the role of social media in our political life, Potter provides example after example that shows how alternative voices have always found a way to get their message out. From early newsletters to talk radio and then cable TV, the progression is intriguing to consider when she presents it all in a historical context.

The book doesn't tell us where to go from here, but it sure answers the question of how we got to this point. While partisans from both major parties will no doubt find something to criticize, as is their wont, other readers will appreciate this for the fine social history of alternative media that it is.

An excellent primer to the world of alternative media as it regards politics and political movements in the United States. There is very little groundbreaking news here, but it's not intended to be that.
The New York Times recently reported on the development of a "pay for play" network of online and print news organizations that have sprung up around the U.S. both as a means to fill a void when local news gathering has evaporated--when owners close local publications due to unsustainable advertising--and to spread politically polarizing views.
This book lays the groundwork for comprehending why that new development isn't earth-shattering, that there is a long history on which it's building. From print newsletters that were mailed to self-produced databases, to the origins of talk radio's complete "ownership" by conservative voices, to the Drudge Report and social media now, Political Junkies underscores the struggle of partisans and the innovations they undertook in order to get their messages heard.

This was a very informative book but different from what I expected. I thought the book would be more about the grassroots/amateurs who are hooked on talk radio, Twitter, and other forms of social media. Instead, the book is more about the reporters/political consultants who developed the alternative media.

This book is very fair to the alternate media. The book covers its origins in both the in both left and right wing politics. While the mainstream press can be quite critical of the alternate media, this book does mention that the alternate media has at times broken stories that the mainstream media has refused to print. The book also describes how political consultants and campaign managers have used social media has a major part of election campaigns..

My one disappointment is the author does not go into how social media makes it much easier to spread false information. I know I posted links in Facebook to information that is false. Furthermore, it appears that Russia very sinister manner was able to manipulate Facebook and Twitter. I think those who use social media need to know learn recognize social media scams.

In short, Political Junkies is an excellent book but not what I expected.

Solid Discussion Of Sometimes Obscure History. Full disclosure up front: As a former political blogger who was an organizer of one of the Tea Party events (before the professionals got involved) and as both a Party Official (for the Libertarian Party, at both local and State levels) and Candidate (for City Council in a town encompassing an area just four square miles), I actively participated in some of the history Potter discusses here. Though quite a bit of it was before I was born - she begins her discussion in the 1950s, before even my parents were born, and I would come along during Ronald Reagan's first term as US President but not become truly politically active until November 5, 2008.

But even as someone with the aforementioned background, even as someone who once had a very high level of behind the scenes access within at least State level politics of at least one State, this truly seems like a comprehensive and accurate history of how we got to where we now find ourselves as Americans relating to politics through media. Potter has done a remarkable job of showing how various movements and moments played on and into each other, building on and around prior and contemporary techniques to go from a dude in his garage just trying to present news the Big 3 weren't to the modern era of ubiquitous cameras and Deep Fake technology. Though actual Deep Fake tech is one area Potter doesn't *truly* get into, likely as it hasn't been shown to be actually active in political circles in the US. Yet. Truly an excellent work, and anyone who is interested in why we are as fractured as we are as a populace would do well to read this to at least know how we got here from an alternative media side. If you're discussing regulation of social media or complaining about the vitriol far too many online discussions turn to, read here to find out how we got to this point - and a couple of passing ideas on how we can do a little better. Very much recommended.

Such a fascinating look into how media has played a major role in American politics. Aside from the fact that Facebook and Twitter have been present in recent years when it comes to the political news cycle, it was interesting to read about the other forms of media that have impacted politics and political figures throughout earlier decades.

Definitely a fascinating book, but a kinda worrisome one as well. We all know "this kind of thing" goes on in the secretive corners of the internet and media, but to have it harpooned and dragged squirming up into daylight is a very different proposition. Essential reading for anybody who has wondered how modern media/politics/society arrived where they are today, and whether you agree with Potter's conclusions or not, you're going to learn a lot that maybe you wish you didn't know about. Everyone should read this book.

Political Junkies is an eye opener toward how the media portrays the political realm. Media has went thru a ton of changes over the centuries, and has become some what of a catalyst for misinformation and this book sways you into a completely different thinking of the media and the way they treat the political world.