Under Fire

Reviews / Votes

There are times in history when having a government backstage pass might've been boring, or academically interesting, or perhaps just pretty cool. But April Ryan, a 21-year veteran White House reporter, is there now, at an absolutely atypical and ever-changing time, with a front row seat to this mess. Well, technically, she sits in the third row, "smack in the middle."

Ryan's writing is conversational and accessible while also displaying impressive depth of knowledge and access. She provides, for instance, some context behind blundering generalizations made by the 45th president about healthcare, quoting not only from conversations she's had with a senator the prez said refused to meet with him, but also from scholarly texts about health disparities for different races and socio-economic groups in the United States. Sometimes pointing the spotlight, occasionally in it, Ryan very apparently values truth-seeking it and telling it. This book gives perspective on our most recent presidential election and, though timely, will still be providing valuable insights for years to come. * BUST * This revealing memoir from veteran White House reporter Ryan relates "the backstory of some of the major news events of 2017 and 2018.".... She clearly portrays the unrelenting stress of being one of the few black reporters on the prestigious White House beat, pulling back the curtain on the "emotional taxes" that African-American people endure daily in the workplace. This account will be an inspiration to those who have to fight similar battles. * Publishers Weekly * [Ryan's] keen insight as a woman of color working for a minority network lends context to the questions on race that she asks during press briefings.... Verdict: An intriguing insight into the challenges of reporting on Trump. Recommended for readers interested in journalism or politics." * Library Journal * Journalist April Ryan provides accurate, historic information and perspective for anyone contemplating the 2018 elections and beyond. Under Fire is a must read for truth seekers and those who teach others the difference between media spin, personal commentary and current political facts. -- Martin Luther King, III "April Ryan is one of the most respected journalists in Washington for a reason -- she's tough as nails, has a wealth of experience, and relentlessly pursues the truth. The qualities that make her a great reporter have also made her a frequent target of the Trump administration. In Under Fire, April Ryan deftly navigates these attacks to deliver a characteristically impartial account of an unprecedented time: she not only documents the chaos, confusion, and turmoil of the Trump era, but speaks to our common values, the enduring and urgent need for truth-tellers, and how the most difficult challenges can bring out the best in who we are. She is a living example of how the fire of adversity often reveals and forges greatness." -- Senator Cory Booker "April's experience, knowledge, and judgment are on full display in this book. She understands the political process at the highest levels and has never been afraid to ask the tough questions off-record or with the eyes of the world on her or when her courage and mettle have been put to the test. All of these skills come together in a compelling volume that blends her insights with the very questions that we should all be confronting at this unique moment in history."
-- Thurgood Marshall, Jr. The narrative is filled with gems. * Kirkus * Ryan, a veteran White House news correspondent for the American Urban Radio Networks, describes some of her disagreements with the press secretary's office during the first 16 months of the Trump administration. Ironically, Ryan explains, these battles included criticism of her work in 2017 by then White House aide Omarosa Manigault Newman, who subsequently published an unfavorable critique of the Trump administration. Ryan notes some of her interactions with officials from the Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump eras. She is occasionally critical of policy issues that impact African Americans, such as whether the Trump administration should extensively support historically black colleges and universities. Recommended. * CHOICE * Ryan often asks pointed questions on policies of health care, education, and voting laws and how these affect Africans Americans. The frequent lies, along with personal and institutionally insulting responses by President Trump and his Press Secretaries is unprecedented in her two decades of working at the White House. * Utica Phoenix *