Newscatcher
From one of the most respected newsmen in broadcast journalism comes Newscatcher, an insightful and revealing memoir by John Palmer of NBC News. Posthumously released just over a year after his passing in August 2013, this remembrance captures the essence of Palmer’s ability to tell stories, both personal and historical, in his informal style as if being recounted by an old friend.
Newscatcher includes stories about Palmer’s years as a young boy growing up in Tennessee and details the path that led to his career in TV news – a serendipitous journey that lasted for more than 40 years. It was a profession that provided John Palmer the unique opportunity to pay witness to and report on some of history’s most memorable moments, including the early days of the civil rights movement, crime and politics in the streets of Chicago and New York, the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr., turmoil in the Middle East, the Challenger disaster, as well as the aftermath of 9/11.
A Washington insider, Palmer discusses his time as an NBC News White House correspondent covering presidential politics from the Carter administration through George W. Bush’s first years in office. This incredible overview of John Palmer’s life and career is also a must-read for Journalism courses at universities across the nation that will provide budding students who have an interest in broadcasting with a fascinating look at the ever-changing world of television news.
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About the Author
During his five decades in broadcast news, John Palmer covered breaking stories throughout the world. As White House Correspondent for NBC News, he covered Presidents Bush, Clinton, Reagan and Carter. Palmer also served as news Anchor for the Today Show in New York for 7 years and later hosted a weekly series for the Discovery channel, anchored the Christian Science Monitor’s “World Monitor with John Palmer” and hosted a syndicated series for RLTV.
Palmer began his broadcasting career in 1960 at WSB-TV in Atlanta. He joined NBC News in Chicago in 1963 and was subsequently based in New York, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Paris and Washington. Palmer is a native of Kingsport, Tennessee. He graduated from Northwestern University and received a master’s degree from Columbia University. He has been awarded several honorary doctoral degrees.
Prior to his White House assignment, Palmer was posted in Beirut, where he covered the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, the Arab oil embargo, the war in Cyprus and the civil war in Angola. His coverage of the fighting in Lebanon won him the National Headliners Award. Palmer was chief NBC News Correspondent in Paris from 1976 to 1979.
In 1990, Palmer anchored the daily nationally syndicated news program, “Instant Recall” which featured interviews with prominent people who played significant roles in major news events during the past three decades, including Presidents Carter, Reagan, Ford, Egyptian President Sadat, former Sec. of State Kissinger, scientist Jonas Salk, astronaut Alan Sheppard and test pilot Chuck Yeager. John Palmer passed away on August 3, 2013. He is survived by his wife Nancy and daughters Molly, Carter and Hope.
Palmer began his broadcasting career in 1960 at WSB-TV in Atlanta. He joined NBC News in Chicago in 1963 and was subsequently based in New York, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Paris and Washington. Palmer is a native of Kingsport, Tennessee. He graduated from Northwestern University and received a master’s degree from Columbia University. He has been awarded several honorary doctoral degrees.
Prior to his White House assignment, Palmer was posted in Beirut, where he covered the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, the Arab oil embargo, the war in Cyprus and the civil war in Angola. His coverage of the fighting in Lebanon won him the National Headliners Award. Palmer was chief NBC News Correspondent in Paris from 1976 to 1979.
In 1990, Palmer anchored the daily nationally syndicated news program, “Instant Recall” which featured interviews with prominent people who played significant roles in major news events during the past three decades, including Presidents Carter, Reagan, Ford, Egyptian President Sadat, former Sec. of State Kissinger, scientist Jonas Salk, astronaut Alan Sheppard and test pilot Chuck Yeager. John Palmer passed away on August 3, 2013. He is survived by his wife Nancy and daughters Molly, Carter and Hope.
Reviews
“This story… the story of John Palmer… is great. So was every John Palmer story, from start to finish.”
–Brian Williams, anchor of NBC Nightly News
“The story of John Palmer takes the reader behind the scenes with telling anecdotes and instructive insights. His dream came true and now he’s shared it with all of us.”
–Tom Brokaw, Special Correspondent, NBC News
“John Palmer’s example shows us you can be a great reporter and, despite the intense pressures of journalism, a great human being at the same time. What a man of dignity and grace.”
–Ann Curry, NBC News National and International Correspondent
“John Palmer was the quintessential newsman – a dashing foreign correspondent and great storyteller who also has great tales from his years in Washington and as a star anchor on the Today show newsdesk at 30 Rock. His memoir is a gripping account from the trenches covering wars and terrorism in the Middle East to the political wars as a White House correspondent, all leavened with the wit and humor of a true Southern gentleman. Read this book and understand broadcast news at its best.”
–Andrea Mitchell, Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, NBC News
“I can’t think of anyone but John Palmer who really had it all (and deserved it); a glamorous career as a Paris-based foreign correspondent, White House correspondent, and network anchor. And then he had his family. There’s a great story here.”
–Jane Pauley, former co-anchor for NBC’s Today
“To read John Palmer’s memoir is to be reminded of the kind of person it takes to be a truly great network correspondent. His tales are told with the charm that became a signature of his reporting. It’s dignified, insightful, at times heartfelt, and funny. He was a wonderful mentor to me long before I became his son-in-law. He loved being a journalist, almost as much as he loved coming home to his wife and three girls. The TV news business needs more John Palmers. Life needs more John Palmers too.”
–Lee Cowan, CBS Sunday Morning
Media Coverage
October 23, 2014: Book Launch Party
October 24, 2014: Newsers, Family Gather to Toast John Palmer Memoir
October 26, 2014: Nancy Palmer on the Today Show
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
October 27, 2014 Huffington Post: Nancy Doyle Palmer reflects on all the ways life changed after her husband John passed away.
November 14, 2014 WBGH News: Rants and Raves This Week
November 19, 2014: The legacy of TV legend John Palmer
Nancy Palmer, the wife of NBC News correspondent John Palmer, and Tom Brokaw join Morning Joe to discuss Palmer’s life in news.
Nov 20, 2014 09:07 AM ET: The Biz: Celebrating the Life and Career of News Veteran John Palmer by Stephen Battaglio
Nov 28, 2014: Nancy Doyle Palmer on Meet the Press
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Dec 30, 2014: Nancy Doyle Palmer on Andrea Mitchell Reports
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