There is no immortality for newspaper reporters.
One of them, Ben Hecht, addressed this matter in a short poem written long ago: We know each others daydreams / And the hopes that come to grief / For we write each others obits / And theyre Godalmighty brief.
There is no immortality for newspaper reporters, but Deborah Cohen has done a remarkably powerful, enlightening and entertaining job of bringing back to life a quartet of long gone reporters along with dozens of other interesting sorts, in her new book, Last Call at the Hotel Imperial: The Reporters Who Took on a World at War (Random House).
It is a journey, she writes, into the 1920s and 1930s, (when) millions of Americans got their news from a very small number of international reporters. In the interwar years, American foreign correspondents became the kings of the hill. Armed with a peculiarly American obsession with personalities, they sounded an early warning about the rise of the dictators.
She focuses on four of them, each a vessel of immense curiosity and energy.
There was Chicago-born John Gunther, who was a student at the University of Chicago before becoming a reporter for the Chicago Daily News, where he struck his colleagues as a young man going somewhere. Did he ever, taking off for Europe with no job (he had quit the News) and $150 in his pocket but with big ambitions. He would report prolifically and marry another writer named Frances. He would become a bestselling author with what was known as the Inside books, a series that included the bestseller Inside U.S.A in 1947. He basically invented the grief memoir with the heart-wrenching 1949 book about his young sons death, Death Be Not Proud, which is sadly the only one of his many books still in print.
H.R. Knickerbocker, Knick to his friends, was Texas-born and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1931 for his newspaper series on Stalin.
Vincent (Jimmy) Sheean came to the University of Chicago from tiny downstate Pana, Illinois, and was soon reporting from far, far away, from Spain and elsewhere. His 1935 political memoir Personal Historybecame the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcocks 1940 film Foreign Correspondent.
Dorothy Thompson, perhaps the most famous of the gang, was a native New Yorker. As she wrote to a friend in 1921, when she was in her late 20s, I have been a wild cat walking by my wild lone self most of my life since 16. What she did becoming the first female syndicated political columnist and a radio broadcaster, made her so prominent that, as Cohen tells us, On the eve of the Second World War, Time magazine described Thompson and Eleanor Roosevelt as the most influential women in the United States. She was also married for a helter- skelter time to novelist Sinclair Lewis. Her life became the inspiration for the Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn 1942 film Woman of the Year.
Cohen informs us of so much, bringing the characters of this era to vivid and raucous life. She makes them all unforgettable, and allows us to understand what made them tick and work as they visited European capitals and traveled to Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Their Midwestern roots were crucial, she says. They understood their readers. They were able to speak to Americans. They were as famous in their time as famous could be and they were also pioneers in new journalism. They were subjective, intimate, emotional, powerful.
They also had active social and drinking lives. They were in and out of each others lives, sharing late nights, talking, sharing beds, Cohen says.
Top stories, delivered straight to your inbox.
As she writes, Even when they were far apart, even after they fell out, they kept right on talking and arguing, long after the conversations had ended.
The eight years Cohen devoted to researching and writing this splendid book was time well spent. We encounter in fresh ways such figures as Hitler, Mussolini, Gandhi, Nehru and Stalin. We also meet such now-forgotten people as Polly Adler, the proprietor of Manhattans most famous brothel and a friend of Gunthers: It was difficult to find girls to work because they were all doing war service, she told John. The sexual peculiarities these days! The higher the tensions got in Europe, the stranger the perversions.
So prolific and active were the reporters that they make the most famous writer of the period, a fellow named Hemingway, seem a slacker by comparison.
The maps detailing the travels of these reporters are admirable and dizzying. As Gunther would put it later, We were scavengers, buzzards, out to get the news, no matter whose wings got clipped.
Cohen was born and raised in Louisville and at a tender age flirted with a career as a newspaper reporter. She started and edited a paper in high school but, admitting to being hijacked by archives, earned a degree in history and womens studies at Harvard-Radcliffe and then a masters and doctorate at the University of California at Berkeley. She taught at American University and Brown University before coming to Northwestern in 2010, where she now academically resides, living in the Lakeview neighborhood with her husband and teenage daughter.
I love teaching, first-year students to graduate level, she says.
She is also a writer of palpable power and deep understanding.
After WWII, her quartet, more or less, she says, moved off stage. Their moment was the moment of warning, so once the conflict started, what was there for them to say, I told you so?
In their time they told us more than enough and they came at us in an intimate fashion. Cohen writes with easy authority and a powerful narrative drive. This is a great book about great and flawed people caught up in a world going mad.
She credits the voluminous archives that she pored through for making it possible to capture the texture and the course of (her subjects) thoughts at very close hand My aim as an author has been to follow their own lead as journalists to convey how it felt to lie so exposed to history in the making.
For what its worth, Cohen would have made one hell of a reporter.
Recommended Videos
Original post:
Book tells tale of 1920s reporters who warned the world of the war that was coming - Kingsport Times News
- Messages of Hope from a 2,800 Year Old Man [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2010]
- Kumbh Mela 2010 - the Festival of Immortals [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2010]
- Census Finds 157 Year Old Woman in Indonesia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2010]
- Happy 130th Birthday Antisa Khvichava ! [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2010]
- Anyone Have Any Samples of These Ancient Symbols / Letters? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2010]
- Is this a 2,500 Year Old Coin? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2010]
- Knights Templar Benediction [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2010]
- My Interview on the Mysterious Universe has Been Posted. Where is the Evidence? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Time Traveler in Charlie Chaplin Film [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- Time Traveler in Charlie Chaplin Film - Last Update [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2010]
- Remote Viewing - Remote Sending Update [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2010]
- Eating Out vs Eating In [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2010]
- Better Ways to Answer “How are You?” [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2010]
- She’s in Fashion [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2010]
- Major Book Status Update [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2011]
- Celine Dion - Immortality [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2011]
- Pearl Jam - Immortality [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2011]
- Immortality [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2011]
- DJ Fresh 'The Immortal' - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- "Highlander (1986)" Theatrical Trailer #1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- DJERV ~ IMMORTAL - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Solitary Experiments - Immortal (Single Edit) (Video) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- MyGrain - Of Immortal Aeons music video HD - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Pearl Jam - Immortality (London '09) HD - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Blade of the Immortal - Criminal - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- My Immortal, a very dramatic reading of chapter 17. - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Can a blood test really tell you when you'll die? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Seeking immortality - Doctor Who - BBC classic sci-fi - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Blade of the Immortal - Conquest - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Harry Potter -Immortal - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- Immortal (2004) Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- [New]Thomas J. Bergersen - Immortal - Two Steps From Hell (2011) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2011]
- StarCraft 2 - Immortal Quotes - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- Immortal (Adema) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- City Of The Fallen - Immortality (From Volume 2 - Exsilium) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Freddy Krueger's Immortality - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Immortal Technique - the prophecy - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2011]
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot - Official Trailer - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2011]
- Immortal Serpent - Morgana (2006) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2011]
- ATMA - IMMORTAL BRILLIANCE - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2011]
- Immortal - The Rise of Darkness - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2011]
- 18. The badness of death, Part III; Immortality, Part I - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2011]
- 7. Plato, Part II: Arguments for the immortality of the soul - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2011]
- Immortal Technique - Death March *Lyrics - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 1st, 2011]
- My Immortal; The Series Part 1! - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- DDM - Immortal - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- Pearl Jam - Immortality (SBD) - 4.12.94 Orpheum Theater, Boston, MA - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2011]
- Happy Rhodes - Bee Gees' Immortality (New Haven house gig) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2011]
- Justin Beener COH vs Landa ARB @ Battles for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- 'Immortality' by Coca Brew - High Risk [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Minecraft - "The Fountain of Immortality" Episode 1 - YU No Lever? - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Minecraft: The Fountain Of Immortality Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- jlhe's IMMORTALITY AND UTOPIA DELUSIONS - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Let's Play - Fountain of Immortality - Ep.1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- My Immortal - Chapter Thirty Seven - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Immortal Antichrist - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- The GUNN Shop - EpicMealHat | Immortal | Pool Sex | The Last of Us - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- IMMORTALITY AND THE PROGRAM OF AGING - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Immortality - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Immortal HD Plays Facade - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Two Steps From Hell - Immortal Avenger (Nero) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Two Steps From Hell - Immortal Avenger (Archangel) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Physical immortality conquering death - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- The (R)evolution of Immortal Technique (Trailer #1) [2011] Official Documentary - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Evanescence - My Immortal lyrics - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2012]
- Alfredo EEK vs Juan HyE @ Battle for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- Dannyy vs Alex @ Battle for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- Oscar COH vs Vampiro @ Battle for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- Troll Science IRL 1 - Immortality in 3 simple steps - Troll physics/logic/science - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- Kurl-e LK vs Alexisz MTUSA @ Battle for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- [Battlescape]Immortality | Saturday Trip 07/01/12 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- Lord Vadermort is Immortal - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- [110709] Immortal Song 2 Hongki , Heechul ( no edit) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2012]
- The Spektrum - Diatharna Thoron (The Seeds of Immortality) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 11th, 2012]
- Johnny EDU vs Rango @ Battle for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 11th, 2012]
- Lil Rex LK vs Pato @ Battle for Immortality 1 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 11th, 2012]
- Troy - Achilles Speech - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 14th, 2012]
- Djokovic closes in on sporting immortality [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2012]
- Belichick and Brady playing for Super Bowl immortality [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2012]