Off Camera

October 2, 2000
This is the spoken version of the daily journalDcentered around major news events (Clinton's impeachment trial, the war in Kosovo) and his personal reflections on themDthat newscaster Koppel began on January 1, 1999. Woven between the news and his opinions are personal tidbits such as reminiscences of his childhood in Germany and England, his fear of growing old, his love for his wife, his bouts with depression, his constant travels and the double-edged sword of celebrity. Listeners will readily recognize Koppel's Nightline-style delivery, although they may be surprised to find that the way Koppel reads from his memoir is no different than the way he reads from a TelePrompTer. The consummate journalist, he remains objective in delivering everything from the death of a friend and colleague to his plans for building a house. Koppel is an observer, a watcher, and although he does harbor opinionsDmany of which are clearly stated hereDthey run second to his hard-nosed reporting, even when he himself is the story. Simultaneous release with the Knopf hardcover (Forecasts, Sept. 11).

October 15, 2000
In this day-by-day account of 1999, Koppel, the award-winning host of ABC News's Nightline, chronicles the controversial events from the century's last year, such as the Clinton impeachment trial and the Columbine High School shootings; the potentially controversial issues, such as the Clinton administration's policies in Kosovo or the Disney/ABC corporation's treatment of its news division; and more mundane matters that Koppel makes relevant to the major themes of the journal, such as his confusion over supermarket sale advertisements or his struggle to get caller ID installed in his house. The subtitle of the book may lead some readers to expect a bit of muckraking, but they will be disappointed. Koppel airs no dirty laundry, which is not surprising from someone who expresses great distaste for the obsessive coverage of the sordid details of the Clinton-Lewinski scandal. Yet one does not get the sense that Koppel is restraining himself or hiding anything, merely that this is a person who lives his life with integrity so that his private thoughts are full of the same. Insightful, thoughtful, and honest, this book is recommended for all public libraries. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/00.] Cheryl Van Til, Kent Dist. Lib., Comstock Park, MI

Copyright 2000 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2000
\deflang1033\pard\plain\f0\fs24 Remember 1999? The impeachment trial and war in Kosovo, negotiations for peace in the Middle East and northern Ireland, Columbine and Amadou Diallo, the JFK Jr. crash, the growth of the Internet and Y2K fears. \plain\f0\fs24" Off Camera\plain\f0\fs24 i s a journal of 1999 from ABC News correspondent and \plain\f0\fs24" Nightline \plain\f0\fs24 anchor Koppel. Fans of the show will immediately recognize this volume's "voice": Koppel in print "sounds" just like Koppel on the tube. What's different here is that the journal-keeper allows himself to express opinions (and readers learn a bit about his personal life). Koppel's early comments on Kosovo, for example, are quite negative (perhaps reflecting the influence of Henry Kissinger?), but he admits to overreaction when Milosevic withdraws. The shifting demands of the media also come in for thoughtful consideration. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2000, American Library Association.)