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HomeShop at BookSurgeReferenceGeneralOdyssey of a Derelict Gunslinger: A Saga of Exposing TV Preachers, Corrupt Politicians, Right-Wing Lunatics...and Me |
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Sure glad I didn't miss this one!!!!!! Sep 17, 2009
This is the best money I have spent this year. Evokes great memories, informative, and almost a laugh a page. Very easy reading as the words just roll along. The Barry Seal saga was especially interesting as he was an old acquaintance in his younger days when he flew for TWA. John Camp's honesty and candidness are commendable. Hang in there John and write us some more great reading.
 Straight Shooting Sep 02, 2009
John Camp writes the way he talks. That's good -- and that's bad.
It's good in that he's a superb spinner of stories, an excellent researcher, and he knows how to communicate. As a result, this book is an easy and entertaining read, yet packed with information.
It's bad in that we all tend to repeat himself in conversation -- and Camp does so on occasion in his book-- and oftentimes he forgets that not everyone is as old as he is and doesn't remember in detail some of the figures he's talking about.
With that disclaimer, this is an excellent memoir and an instructive manual in how we all can overcome our own foibles and make more of ourselves than anyone thought possible. John Camp didn't have an Ivy League background-- but he had native intelligence and understood people and what motivated them. He used those skills to pull himself out of an alcoholic dead end and to grab a front row seat to history running CNN's investigative unit. In the process, he became one of the most decorated television reporters in history.
His type of reporting, sadly, is no longer valued by newspapers or networks -- too costly, too time consuming, too detailed, too complex for simple-minded audiences focused on the latest exploits of brangelina or the latest permutation of fantasy football. That is the real tragedy of journalism. Read this book to see what journalism used to be -- and what the founding fathers intended it to be. Whether you agree with Camp's conclusions or not is not the point -- the point is he provided an alternative (and from his perspective, an honest and documented) point of view to the spin doctor machine of government, politicians and other elites.
My disclaimer. I'm a former Washington political reporter who became a college professor. I met Camp in Baton Rouge some 20 years ago. I've never worked with him, never played golf with him, never been to his home, but I'm quite familiar with his work, consider him an excellent investigative reporter, and have invited him to speak to my classes.
An entertaining page-turner Jul 26, 2009
As one who has lived through the era John Camp writes about, it's as if I'm reading the story of America in the last half-century. While "it was the best of times and the wrost of times", John's courage in tweaking the noses of the reprobates and hypocrits of our world are facinating. Couple this with his personal story of "what it was like, what happened and what it's like now" is an inspiring testimony to the power of love and fellowship in overcoming character defects and shortcomings.
I only regret that John Camp has decided to retire and will not be available to "keep the bastards honest" but we can hope that others will read this book and be inspired to take his place as investigative reporters.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Great read! Jun 28, 2009
Derelict Gunslinger provided a surprise as I read it...multiple levels of involvement with the author's very personal challenges as well as with the subjects of his investigations. I was prepared for this book to be interesting; I was not prepared for it to be so engrossing that I had a hard time putting it down. The duality of who John Camp is and has been is even more intriguing than the laundry list of notables he's investigated and with whom he has associated. For an author to portray his own alcoholic slide to the gutter with such brutal honesty is impressive; more impressive is the short, direct and incredibly moving passage about the moment that changed his life forever. Derelict Gunslinger is, to me, a book about second chances, forgiveness, and the ability of human beings to change their own destinies. I loved every word.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Riding With the Gunslinger Jun 01, 2009
As stated in the subtitle of his book "Odyssey of a Derelict Gunslinger" author John Camp takes the reader on an exciting ride through the underbelly of TV preachers, corrupt politicians, right wing lunatics and himself. The reader is transported into the secret and sordid world behind the headlines to witness events seldom seen by the general public. Camp's power of observation and attention to detail add color and depth to his story. Sharing his personal struggle with alcohol and his subsequent recovery are a testament to John Camp's courage even after he takes off his reporters hat.
I think that you will enjoy tagging along with Camp on his journey through the fascinating, frightening and amusing world in which he lived and surprisingly survived. I warn you though, once you begin reading "Odyssey", you might find it difficult to put down.
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