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caaleros's review against another edition
5.0
"Sensational" tells the story of the “girl stunt reporters” of the late 19th century, and the print culture that they helped shape. Nellie Bly started the trend by going undercover at a women’s insane asylum to report on the treatment there, but the book doesn’t stop there. We get to hear about the lives and works of many trailblazing women who shaped the conversations in their culture.
During the 1880s and 1890s, having a “girl reporter” was an asset and it provided a place for women at newspapers. Their articles were sensational, revealing, and told in an engaging first-person voice. A personality in writing and guts to do anything outrageous were valued above formal education, although the women eventually felt the pressure of the precedent which demanded that they do dangerous stories. The “girl stunt reporter” often became the heroine of the story she was covering, and readers followed her work as one would a movie star.
It’s sometimes hard to keep track of who is who, but I appreciate that Kim Todd weaves together the major headlines and stories of the years she covers, rather than simply highlighting one woman per chapter. Sensational lived up to its name and it is one of my favorite books of the year.
During the 1880s and 1890s, having a “girl reporter” was an asset and it provided a place for women at newspapers. Their articles were sensational, revealing, and told in an engaging first-person voice. A personality in writing and guts to do anything outrageous were valued above formal education, although the women eventually felt the pressure of the precedent which demanded that they do dangerous stories. The “girl stunt reporter” often became the heroine of the story she was covering, and readers followed her work as one would a movie star.
It’s sometimes hard to keep track of who is who, but I appreciate that Kim Todd weaves together the major headlines and stories of the years she covers, rather than simply highlighting one woman per chapter. Sensational lived up to its name and it is one of my favorite books of the year.
sjgrodsky's review against another edition
2.0
Paused reading this book to read “All the Rivers” for my book club, and completed “Contested Waters” also.
I returned to this book tonight, but could not read more than a few pages before I lost interest. There’s nothing wrong with the book. I just didn’t want to read it.
I returned to this book tonight, but could not read more than a few pages before I lost interest. There’s nothing wrong with the book. I just didn’t want to read it.
arirose's review against another edition
I was nd still am so intrigued by the world of historical female reporters, especially stunt reporters. But the writing! Everything felt jumbled around, inconsistent, and even the writing style seemed to random get poetic at times. I just can't continue, no matter how intrigued I am by the actual context. What a shame...
dannylikethephantom's review against another edition
3.0
This is the less-critical version of The Journalist and the Murderer, and by that I mean it gives a look at the injustices of journalism past (especially in the case of “sob sisters”) and gives some insight into the “new journalism” that spawned Joe McGinnis, my enemy.
Drags a bit in the middle, but is overall a compelling portrait of women in “stunt” journalism at the end of the 19th century. The book beginning and ending with Nellie Bly is satisfyingly full-circle.
Drags a bit in the middle, but is overall a compelling portrait of women in “stunt” journalism at the end of the 19th century. The book beginning and ending with Nellie Bly is satisfyingly full-circle.
ohemgeebooks's review against another edition
3.0
This book was so interesting.
I’ve checked out more books about the women reporters that are discussed in this book.
I suggest reading the paper copy instead of listening to the audiobook, which is what I did. I wish I had to book to reference while I listened because it felt like the data referenced and shared was constant and difficult to remember and keep straight.
A good jumping off point for more research in a period of history of which I was not aware. Women are strong, resilient, and brave- all qualities perfect for stunt reporting.
I’ve checked out more books about the women reporters that are discussed in this book.
I suggest reading the paper copy instead of listening to the audiobook, which is what I did. I wish I had to book to reference while I listened because it felt like the data referenced and shared was constant and difficult to remember and keep straight.
A good jumping off point for more research in a period of history of which I was not aware. Women are strong, resilient, and brave- all qualities perfect for stunt reporting.
karen62's review against another edition
3.0
Stopped at 50%. I wanted to read more about Nellie Bly and girl stunt reporters like her. There was some but also a lot about the feud between Pulitzer and Hearst. It was also a little disjointed and somewhat disappointing.
caputon's review against another edition
Fascinating portrait of pathbreaking journalism and how it was received.
cgreenstein's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
I really love Nellie Bly.
Also, it was interesting to see the parallels between journalism then and now, criticism of journalists then and now, and misogyny then and now.
Also, it was interesting to see the parallels between journalism then and now, criticism of journalists then and now, and misogyny then and now.