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The Noise of Typewriters: Remembering Journalism

The Noise of Typewriters: Remembering Journalism

by Lance Morrow (Author)

W.H. Auden famously wrote: “Poetry makes nothing happen.” Journalism is a different matter. In a brilliant study that is, in part, a memoir of his 40 years as an essayist and critic at TIME magazine, Lance Morrow returns to the Age of Typewriters and to the 20th centurys extraordinary cast of characters—statesmen and dictators, saints and heroes, liars and monsters, and the reporters, editors, and publishers who interpreted their deeds. He shows how journalism has touched the history of the last 100 years, has shaped it, distorted it, and often proved decisive in its outcomes.Lord Beaverbrook called journalism “the black art.” Morrow considers the case of Walter Duranty, the New York Times  Moscow correspondent who published a Pulitzer Prize-winning series praising Stalin just at the moment when Stalin imposed mass starvation upon the people of Ukraine and the North Caucasus in order to enforce the collectivization of Soviet agriculture. Millions died.John Herseys Hiroshima, on the other hand, has been all but sanctified—called the 20th centurys greatest piece of journalism. Was it? Morrow examines the complex moral politics of Herseys reporting, which the New Yorker first published in 1946.The Noise of Typewriters is, among other things, an intensely personal study of an age that has all but vanished. Morrow is the son of two journalists who got their start covering Roosevelt and Truman. When Morrow and Carl Bernstein were young, they worked together as dictation typists at the Washington Star (a newspaper now extinct). Bernstein had dedicated Chasing History, his memoir of those days, to Morrow. It was Morrows friend and editor Walter Isaacson—biographer of Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein, and Steve Jobs—who taught Morrow how to use a computer when the machines were first introduced at TIME.Here are striking profiles of Henry Luce, TIMEs founder, and of Dorothy Thompson, Claud Cockburn, Edgar Snow, Joseph and Stewart Alsop, Joan Didion, Norman Mailer, Otto Friedrich, Michael Herr, and other notable figures in a golden age of print journalism that ended with the coming of television, computers, and social media. The Noise of Typewriters is the vivid portrait of an era.

**Delving into the Heart of Journalism: A Journey through "The Noise of Typewriters" by Lance Morrow**

In the realm of journalism, Lance Morrow's "The Noise of Typewriters: Remembering Journalism" stands as a poignant and reflective memoir that captures the essence of the profession's golden age. Through a series of insightful essays, Morrow paints a vivid portrait of a time when typewriters clattered, deadlines loomed, and the pursuit of truth and storytelling prevailed.

Morrow, a renowned journalist and essayist, draws upon his extensive experience to craft a narrative that is both personal and profound. He transports readers back to the bustling newsrooms of the past, where the clatter of typewriters provided a rhythmic soundtrack to the relentless pursuit of news. With a keen eye for detail, he captures the sights, sounds, and emotions that defined the daily lives of journalists.

At the heart of "The Noise of Typewriters" lies a deep appreciation for the craft of journalism. Morrow celebrates the dedication and perseverance of reporters who tirelessly seek out stories that matter, often in the face of adversity. He delves into the ethical dilemmas and moral complexities that journalists encounter, highlighting the importance of integrity and objectivity in a world awash with information.

Beyond its historical significance, "The Noise of Typewriters" serves as a meditation on the enduring power of storytelling. Morrow argues that journalism, at its best, is a form of art that can illuminate the human condition and bring about positive change. He pays tribute to the great journalists of the past, whose words continue to inspire and inform generations.

For those interested in the history of journalism, "The Noise of Typewriters" is an invaluable resource. It provides a glimpse into the inner workings of news organizations and the challenges that journalists have faced throughout the years. For aspiring journalists, Morrow's insights offer a valuable roadmap for navigating the complexities of the profession.

Ultimately, "The Noise of Typewriters" is a love letter to journalism, a celebration of its enduring spirit and its vital role in society. Lance Morrow's evocative prose and insightful observations make this book a must-read for anyone who cares about the written word and the pursuit of truth.

Rating:

Pages:
200
Language:
English