Forty years after Tom Wolfe, Hunter S. Thompson, and Gay Talese launched the New Journalism movement, Robert S. Boynton sits down with nineteen pra...
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reviews
Feb 03, 2012
bloggerlite
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Before purchasing this book on the Kindle, I read through several reviews which were very critical of the setup of the book: Q&A with an author, and in many cases, the book editor (R. Boyton) asking the same exact questions to each author. Apparently, many reviewers found it boring.
I, as a writer, however found the content fascinating as each of the featured writers provided honest answers about those same questions: organizing reams of handwritten notes, when and how they each write More...
I, as a writer, however found the content fascinating as each of the featured writers provided honest answers about those same questions: organizing reams of handwritten notes, when and how they each write More...
Aug 11, 2009
Pete
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Posing the same questions to a diverse group of writers and reporters, Robert Boynton captures the devil of the details. Who knew a reporter could come up with so many creative things to do with a tape recorder, from leaving it in your lap to remind talkative teenagers they're on tape, to sending it home with sources for the night for their own "private" confessions. This is a neat way to get the story behind the story. For example, Jon Krakauer says he's happy just to sit around with
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Sep 11, 2011
Dan
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The New New Journalism is an invaluable resource for those who aspire to write narrative nonfiction. It not only serves as an introduction to some of the best voices currently working in the genre, but it also offers a wealth of ideas on how to take a story from its initial idea form to a finished narrative.
There is, perhaps, one important question Boynton’s book does not answer: In today’s changing media environment, how does a young writer who aspires to do this kind of journalism fi More...
There is, perhaps, one important question Boynton’s book does not answer: In today’s changing media environment, how does a young writer who aspires to do this kind of journalism fi More...
Oct 07, 2008
Just started this but I'm looking forward to it. Dabbling in freelance writing, I have found it's not so hard to get gigs doing "service pieces," like a cute little 300 word piece on how to help your kid overcome his fear of eating frogs (the kind with added high fructose corn syrup, of course.) But basically, that stuff isn't new work, isn't very interesting to work on (other than to hone one's skills), and it's really just commercial writing (for a corporation, who sells advertisin
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Oct 26, 2011
Tabitha
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This collection begins as an interesting look into the process of prominent narrative journalists, but it grows old quickly. Each conversation is very similar, with the same questions being answered over and over by different writers (almost as if the editor had sent out a mass email to his Awesome Writers I Know Outlook distribution list). I’d rather know more about the stories themselves—more of an examination of the work with less emphasis on the nitty-gritty process. I don’t really care to k
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Feb 03, 2009
Thomas
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This is a great book for anyone interested in writing journalism or nonfiction. It contains interviews with some of the most successful long-form journalists working today: Michael Lewis, Eric Schlosser, Susan Orlean, Calvin Trillin, to name a few.
The interviews cover everything from their approach to their subjects, how they get their ideas, how they interview, and, of course, how they write.
The interviews cover everything from their approach to their subjects, how they get their ideas, how they interview, and, of course, how they write.
Dec 09, 2008
Charlie
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A great set of interviewers with the current masters of nonfiction narrative. Each interview asks roughly the same questions in the same order, which yields uneven results but a fascinating study of contrasts. Authors interviewed for this book include Alex Kotlowitz, Adrian Nichole LeBlanc, Lawrence Wright, Jon Krakauer, William Finnegan, Susan Orlean, Michael Lewis, Gay Talese, and more.
Oct 01, 2009
Steve
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This book exposed me to many non-fiction writers I hadn't heard of, but have since tracked down and enjoyed. Boynton's interviews challenge the subjects to open up about the technical side of their writing as well as touching on why they do what they do and how they communicate their passions on the page. A great read for people interested in good, contemporary non-fiction/journalism.
Nov 24, 2008
Rick
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From the perspective of the journalism field, this is certainly a rather crucial read...so long as you can get over the "Look at us! Look at us! Look at what we're doing!" feel throughout. I fully recognize that's more or less the point. I remained annoyed.
Dec 12, 2009
Noah
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With a few exceptions, I didn't find these interviews all that enlightening, but on the plus side this book pointed me to a lot of intriguing books by the authors interviewed (although the last thing I ever need is a longer reading list).
Jun 29, 2011
Jess
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Cheaper than journalism school, with excellent insights about writing and reporting and organizing and dealing with the blues that so often come from devoting oneself to a craft.
Dec 06, 2011
David
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Interviews about writing, process, methods, and personal information management of non-fiction authors. Interviews are my favorite reference resource and these reveal much about process. Sometime mundane to the max, other times massively interesting. Check the list of authors interviewed and skip to your fav.
Oct 16, 2010
Matt
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Interesting. I tried to meet Robert Boynton while I was living in NYC, but our schedules didn't match! A pity... maybe next time.
Apr 22, 2008
Anna
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Sounds boring: interviews with writers about their craft. Yet it was actually really useful for examining the way that I approach day-to-day tasks and major projects at work. It turns out that writers are as varied in their methods as anyone else. As an added bonus, the interviews, which happen to be with non-fiction bigwigs like Jonathan Harr, Michael Lewis and Susan Orlean, give the reader a glimpse into just how these people find, research and write their big stories, and how they know when a
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Jun 25, 2009
Sarah
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A collection of interviews with writers of narrative non-fiction. Most enjoyable were the interviews with writers I've actually read before, for obvious reasons. These interviews help demystify their practices, making this a valuable book for anyone interested in the craft of writing.
Mar 20, 2008
Boyd
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These are the folks who lay it on the line. Sure, we hear about authors submersing themselves into their subject. These people live it their subject: literally. A great collection of new New Journalism that includes interviews with the writers. I found the two-pronged approach fascinating as one of the first things I do after watching a great movie, reading a great book, or hearing a great piece of music is start looking for interviews with the creator.
Oct 27, 2007
Jen
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I learned a lot about the craft of literary non-fiction through this book of interviews with some of the field's leading figures. It was especially helpful to read about specific journalists' methods and what they think about when they're trying to tell someone's story. Definitely inspiring, and really helpful when you're trying to figure out if you're doing the "right" thing when you're putting together a piece.
Aug 13, 2008
ninus
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I lost the book. I don't know how. Probably I dropped it somewhere along my dreary routine of commuting. Oh yes, I'm a careless n ungrateful prick who tosses expensive books wherever I go.
Phuket, Thailand.
There are many excellent journalists cum writers talked about. Inspiring stories and appealing methods and prodigious personae stimulatingly told. And I just lost it. Unbelievable.
Phuket, Thailand.
There are many excellent journalists cum writers talked about. Inspiring stories and appealing methods and prodigious personae stimulatingly told. And I just lost it. Unbelievable.
Oct 18, 2010
Drasylve
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Really enjoyed this and think I will continue to go back and use as a reference.
Jul 07, 2008
Brian
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If you have any interest in long form narrative journalism (the best kind in my opinion) and are curious how some of the most accomplished do it, this is the perfect book. Long interviews with writers such as Eric Schlosser, Susan Orlean, Ted Conover, and Jon Krakauer (among others) discussing story ideas, interview technique, narrative structure, tone, influences, etc.
Nov 09, 2007
Pat
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Crappy title, but great book if you aspire to write narrative non-fiction and want to know how the pros approach their work and the particulars of their methodology. It may also turn you on to writers you weren't aware of. Myself, I'm now keen to check out Leon Dash, for instance.
Mar 31, 2008
James T.
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Great techniques in long form journalism. Most of the writers put themselves in the middle of the action, as is the case with "new journalism" trends. But the value is the explanation and back-story writers give on the research and preparation that goes into such work.
Dec 17, 2009
Emily
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I've read parts of this book several times, and other parts I haven't read at all yet. It's interviews with many writers -- and really great in depth interviews, so its something you can pick up and drop easily -- which is nice.
Oct 05, 2008
When I did a library search for Hunter S. Thompson, this book came up as well. since the library is free, I checked this out. So far I haven't gotten past the overly effusive intro.
Jul 17, 2008
Kjerstin
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Absolutely loved this. It gives you a great window into the process of (mostly experiential) journalism. Fascinating and entertaining.
Oct 13, 2008
Christel
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This book was fun to read and enlightening-- It's all about the tricks, quirks and hard work of literary journalists.
May 21, 2008
Jennifer
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Provides some behind-the-scene information on some of the top journalists of today.
Dec 11, 2008
Melissa
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This is my favorite book of all time. How can you not love these people?!
