New Books in History Richard Fine, "The Price of Truth: The Journalist Who Defied Military Censors to Report the Fall of Nazi Germany" (Cornell, 2023)
Jan 13, 2026
Richard Fine, Professor emeritus at Virginia Commonwealth University and author of The Price of Truth, delves into Edward Kennedy's audacious reporting on the Nazi surrender. Fine explains how Kennedy defied military censorship, igniting controversy and altering media-military relations forever. The discussion reveals the intense drama behind the scenes, Soviet influences, and the chaotic aftermath of Kennedy's scoop, including the threats he faced from military authorities and his subsequent fall from grace. Fine's insights challenge the heroic narrative of wartime journalism.
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Surrender Is A Process Not An Event
- Surrender is a negotiated process involving logistics, politics, and timing rather than a single event.
- The May 7, 1945 Reims signing illustrates how surrender required coordination among Allied commands and diplomatic approval.
The Lucky 17 Witness The Reims Signing
- Sixteen reporters dubbed the "Lucky 17" witnessed the Reims signing and were told to withhold publication for at least 36 hours.
- They were flown back to Paris, censored, and informed the story must wait until Allied heads could coordinate public announcements.
Politics Drove The Hold On The Scoop
- Soviet insistence delayed public release because they demanded a Berlin ceremony with all Allied representation.
- Political concerns, not clear military security, drove the 36-hour withholding order.
