Critical Praise from Journalism Professors

"In Sex and the Single Beer Can, Walt Brasch is both refreshingly irreverent and irreverently fresh. Little escapes his attention. This is a book about the media, politics, government, war, political incorrectness, religion, the injustice system, the health industry, and other corporations, Miss America, and yes, sex and beer. He ties these subjets together under and double-barreled heading of the foibles and strengths of American society. His approach is both biting criticism and healthy respect, both creative imagination and deep understanding. Most of all, Sex and the Single Beer Can is a plea for a better media and a better place in which to live.
Because it is broad in its scope, it's also suitable for a variety of journalism/mass communication classes either as a primary or secondary text. It could add important perspectives to classes in ethics, media management, media economics, media and society, media criticism and a variety of other subjects of journalistic interest."
— Dr. Ralph Izard, associate dean, Manship School of Journalism, Louisiana
State University; professor emeritus and former director, Scripps School of
Journalism, The Ohio University

"Effective and powerful. In Dave Barryesque fashion, Brasch weaves sights, sounds, feelings, and attitudes into clever, playful, entertaining essays. Brasch provides an excellent guide for students trying to learn the art of writing. For a teacher, this collection offers models of tone, dialogue, description, narrative voice, and point of view."
— Beverly Pitts, provost and professor of journalism, Ball State University

"Insightful, readable and tightly written."
— R. Thomas Berner, head, journalism program, Pennsylvania State
University

"A pleasant respite from the overly academic dissections of media events that allows the reader to learn thorugh laughter. A great book of readings for students who are trying to learn how to tell it like it is."
— Pat Heilman, chair, Department of Journalism, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Critical Praise from the Media

"Skewers the American media [in a] satiric romp [that is] hilariously funny and deadly serious. You will never read a newspaper or magazine, listen to the radio, or watch a movie or TV in the same way again."
— Sally Mattero, Koen Books

"Satire is a dying art [but] Brasch has rekindled some and directed it against the media. For those seeking an insider's look at the media with the irreverence of the public, this is, above all, a book to enjoy."
— Jeff Inglis, Burlington, Vt., Mountainview

"Brasch Illuminates the dark, and often absurd, sides of society and the media with a style that invites laughter and encourages the reader to look beyond reality to the truth."
— Nancy Baumgartner, Williamsport Sun-Gazette

"Wonderfully humorous essays."
— Lee Lawrence, WFPR-AM, Hammond, La.

"Exposes some of the most common journalistic foibles, and the impact they can have on the way the rest of society sees the world around them. Nothing is safe or sacred."
— Jane Alison Havsy, American Reporter

"Interesting, refreshing and...highly irreverent...Includes a potpourri of down-to-earth stories about America, some twisted completely out of shape by the media when they first took place."
— Hazleton Standard-Speaker

Walter Brasch is. . .

"The most informed, opinionated, witty, and delightful commentator on the media scene today."
— John Noonan, Aspen Media Review

"Entertaining and informative, and fun for everyone."
— WLW-AM, Cincinnati

"A real treat to interview. He has a wonderful way of cutting through the media hype to clarify the 'real' culture."
— Jack Holcomb, WEEU-AM, Reading, Pa.

"A dynamic journalist in the tradition of Andy Rooney."
— Gil Bratcher, WYSP-FM, Philadelphia

"[Someone who] has a wonderful way of cutting through the media hype to clarify the 'real' culture and media in a manner that can be understood by all."
— Jack Holcomb, WEEU-AM, Reading, Pa.

Critical Acclaim