Talk:What Happened (McClellan book)

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Rough start

Okay, so the book isn't even out yet and the story is all over the place. References & content welcome & encouraged. /Blaxthos ( t / c ) 03:51, 28 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It essentially is out now. The publisher seems to have given up on the 6/2 release date due to all the media coverage.[1] I bought a copy at the local Borders this afternoon. --Benna (talk) 08:21, 29 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

How is it already "bestselling"? Xulong (talk) 17:55, 29 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Neutrality

I haven't read the book, but I have a hard time believing that the main aspect of the book was Scott McClellan's criticism. It, therefore, looks like there's some WP:UNDUE problems with this article. --brew crewer (yada, yada) 04:48, 28 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The leading reliable sources, including the NYT and MSNBC, have lead with (and focused upon) the criticism by McClellan. Indeed, just from the excerpts I don't see how you can argue it is anything less than a bombshell (as noted by the numerous sources, cited or in progress). If you find other secondary sources covering other aspects, please feel free to add them as well. I told you it was a rough start... ;-) /Blaxthos ( t / c ) 06:18, 28 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Follow up - It's the lead story on CNN.com at this hour (06:24, 28 May 2008 (UTC)), which reads:

Bush used 'spin' to push war, ex-spokesman says - The spokesman who defended President Bush's policies through Hurricane Katrina and the early years of the Iraq war is now blasting his former employers, saying the Bush administration became mired in propaganda and political spin and at times played loose with the truth.

Headline at CNN = due weight. /Blaxthos ( t / c ) 06:24, 28 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

However, in the interest of WP:NPOV, I would agree that quotes about the book, from McClellan and others (Rove, etc.) are appropriate. There is more info developing in the full CNN story. /Blaxthos ( t / c ) 06:32, 28 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

You're right, that's pretty much all the coverage that is has received as of now. However, whether we can or can't improve it, the article is still violative of WP:UNDUE. But I don't have a problem if you wish to remove the npov tag. Best, --brew crewer (yada, yada) 15:42, 28 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

WP:UNDUE says that weight given to viewpoints in the article should be equal to the coverage and significance in the real world (paraphrased, of course). Being that I've yet to see any coverage that focuses on any other aspect of the book other than the "bombshell" angle, in my opinion, invalidates the claim that it's given undue weight. My opinion, of course, but I think the logic is grounded in policy. /Blaxthos ( t / c ) 17:13, 28 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Well, also, ultimately the end of the subtitle ends "and what's wrong with washington" and considering his experience in washington and the excerpts thus far, I think we can safely assume focusing on his criticism of Bush won't be too far out of line with what the book ends up focusing on 15.243.169.73 (talk) 03:33, 29 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Long Title

Should the title of this page change from "What Happened" to "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception"? enderminh (talk) 18:36, 28 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

A redirect is in place; I don't think there would be any benefit in swapping them. WP:MOS guidelines advocate short (fewer than ten words) titles generally. /Blaxthos ( t / c ) 23:54, 28 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Agree. The long offical name is not the title that the "greatest number of English speakers would most easily recognize" as required by Wikipedia:Naming conventions. --brew crewer (yada, yada) 00:44, 29 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Book title

thumb|80px|left thumb|80px|right Anyone know which cover is making it into print? I've also noticed that both covers show the title as What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and What's Wrong With Washington, however the amazon.com listing shows the title as What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception. Anyone know the deal? /Blaxthos ( t / c ) 00:47, 29 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I went ahead and put the second image in. It is a bit higher quality as it is a jpg, and is the lead image on Amazon. --Tom (talk - email) 02:17, 29 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I have the book, and the title is What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception. The cover looks like the one being used now, but with that title. --Benna (talk) 08:34, 29 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]