Synopses & Reviews
The Art of Fact is a historical treasury tracing literary journalism back to such pioneers as Defoe, Dickens, Orwell, and to crime writers, investigative social reporters, and war correspondents who stretched the limits of style and even propriety to communicate powerful truth. Here an extraordinary range of styles the elegance of Gay Talese, the militance of Marvel Cooke, the station-house cynicism of David Simon, the manic intelligence of Richard Ben Cramer illuminates an extraordinary range of subjects. From large public events (Jimmy Breslin on the funeral of JFK) to small private moments (Gary Smith on the struggles of a Native American basketball player), these readings sad, funny, and most of all provocative offer the double pleasure of true stories artfully told.
Review
"On every page, I find something to fill me with admiration and envy." Dan Rather
Review
"Could be the world's most readable textbook." Time Out New York
Review
"Provides countless examples of how imaginatively and artfully real life can be rendered in the right hands." Toronto Globe and Mail
Review
"One of the most pleasurable collections to come along in recent years...indispensable." Newark Star-Ledger
Review
"Far-flung and irresistible...full of nonfiction knockouts. (Grade A)" Entertainment Weekly
Synopsis
Learn how to be the best journalist you can be with what "could be the world's most readable textbook" (Time Out New York).
The Art of Fact is a historical treasury tracing literary journalism back to such pioneers as Defoe, Dickens, and Orwell, and to crime writers, investigative social reporters, and war correspondents who stretched the limits of style and even propriety to communicate powerful truth. Here an extraordinary range of styles--the elegance of Gay Talese, the militance of Marvel Cooke, the station-house cynicism of David Simon, the manic intelligence of Richard Ben Cramer--illuminates an extraordinary range of subjects. From large public events (Jimmy Breslin on the funeral of JFK) to small private moments (Gary Smith on the struggles of a Native American basketball player), these readings--sad, funny, and most of all provocative--offer the double pleasure of true stories artfully told.
About the Author
Kevin Kerrane is the author of
Dollar Sign on the Muscle: The World of Baseball Scouting. He lives in Newark, Delaware.
Ben Yagoda, the author of Will Rogers: A Biography, lives in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. They both teach English and journalism at the University of Delaware.