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The Boys on the Bus: A Look Back at a Trailblazing Campaign Book

Cruz Simmons

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In 1972, Timothy Crouse published a book that would change the way presidential campaigns were covered forever. The book, titled The Boys on the Bus, followed the press corps that covered the candidates on the campaign trail. It was a fascinating look at the inner workings of a presidential campaign and the role of the media in covering it.

The Boys on the Bus

by Timothy Crouse

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1362 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	417 pages

Crouse's book was groundbreaking in several ways. First, it was one of the first books to give readers a behind-the-scenes look at a presidential campaign. Before The Boys on the Bus, most people had no idea what went on inside the campaign bubble. Crouse's book showed readers the day-to-day grind of the campaign trail, from the long hours and sleepless nights to the constant pressure to get the story first.

Second, The Boys on the Bus was one of the first books to focus on the role of the media in covering politics. Crouse showed how the media can shape the way voters view the candidates and the issues. He also showed how the media can become a part of the story, as the candidates try to manipulate the press to get favorable coverage.

The Boys on the Bus was a critical and commercial success. It won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 1973 and was adapted into a television movie in 1976. The book has also been credited with helping to change the way presidential campaigns are covered. Today, the press corps is much more embedded with the candidates than they were in 1972. This has led to a more intimate and warts-and-all view of the candidates and the campaign process.

The Boys on the Bus is a classic campaign book that is still relevant today. It is a fascinating look at the inner workings of a presidential campaign and the role of the media in covering it. If you are interested in politics or journalism, I highly recommend reading The Boys on the Bus.

The Candidates

The 1972 presidential race was one of the most closely contested in history. The Democratic nominee was George McGovern, a liberal senator from South Dakota. The Republican nominee was Richard Nixon, the incumbent president. Nixon was a conservative who had been in office since 1969.

McGovern and Nixon were two very different candidates. McGovern was a passionate idealist who wanted to bring about change in America. Nixon was a pragmatic politician who was more interested in maintaining the status quo.

The 1972 campaign was a bitter one. The candidates attacked each other relentlessly, and the press corps was often caught in the middle. Crouse's book shows how the media can become a part of the story, as the candidates try to manipulate the press to get favorable coverage.

The Press Corps

The press corps that covered the 1972 presidential race was a diverse group of reporters and editors. Some were experienced political reporters, while others were young and inexperienced. Some were liberal, while others were conservative. But they all shared a common goal: to get the story first.

The press corps was often critical of the candidates and the campaign process. They accused the candidates of being too ambitious and the campaign of being too negative. But they also played an important role in informing the public about the candidates and the issues.

Crouse's book shows how the press corps can be a force for good in the political process. The reporters and editors who covered the 1972 campaign held the candidates accountable and helped to ensure that the public was informed about the issues.

The Legacy of The Boys on the Bus

The Boys on the Bus is a classic campaign book that is still relevant today. It is a fascinating look at the inner workings of a presidential campaign and the role of the media in covering it. The book has been praised for its accuracy, its insights, and its readability.

The Boys on the Bus has also had a lasting impact on the way presidential campaigns are covered. Today, the press corps is much more embedded with the candidates than they were in 1972. This has led to a more intimate and warts-and-all view of the candidates and the campaign process.

If you are interested in politics or journalism, I highly recommend reading The Boys on the Bus. It is a classic work of journalism that will give you a new understanding of the political process.

The Boys on the Bus

by Timothy Crouse

4.5 out of 5