This book brings together a selection of Murray Kempton's insightful journalism, showcasing his distinctive style and profound sympathy for underdogs. Kempton's work spans various topics, from politics and jazz to the Mafia, offering a rich tapestry of New York City life. His eloquent prose and unique perspective make this collection a must-read for those interested in American journalism and social commentary. The book includes a biographical introduction and a foreword by Darryl Pinckney, providing further context to Kempton's life and work. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of Kempton's approach to journalism and his enduring legacy.
Murray Kempton's *Part of Our Time* delves into the complexities of the 1930s, exploring its social and political landscape. A significant portion of the book focuses on the infamous Hiss-Chambers case, providing a nuanced perspective on this pivotal moment in American history. Kempton's insightful analysis sheds light on the individuals involved and the broader context of the era. The book also includes a chapter on Paul Robeson, further demonstrating Kempton's interest in social justice and political figures. Through his distinctive writing style, Kempton offers a captivating narrative that continues to resonate with readers today.
From 1949 until his death in 1997, Murray Kempton was a distinct presence in New York City journalism. Peddling around town on a three-speed bicycle wearing a three-piece suit, he wrote about everything from politics to jazz to the Mafia. His writing was eloquent, his perspective unique, and his moral judgements driven by a profound sympathy for losers, dissenters and underdogs. His best-known work was written for the New York Post, New York Newsday, and later the New York Review of Books.
Kempton could find a good story in a criminal trial or a bureaucratic report, and he peppered his columns with references to history and literature to set stories in context. He enjoyed the respect of people as different as the conservative writer William F. Buckley and members of the Black Panther Party.
Going Around: Selected Journalism / Murray Kempton (Seven Stories Press, 2025), edited by Andrew Holter, brings Kempton’s work to old admirers and a new generation of readers. The book includes a biographical introduction by Holter and a foreword by Darryl Pinckney.
Holter is a writer and historian who has written for the Times Literary Supplement, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and the Brooklyn Rail. He edited Going Around while he was completing his doctorate in history at Northwestern University. His dissertation explores the history of photography and American policing in the middle decades of the 20th century, especially the use of cameras by municipal "Red Squads" to monitor political dissent and social movements.
Robert Snyder is Manhattan Borough Historian and professor emeritus of Journalism and American Studies at Rutgers University. He is the author of When the City Stopped: Stories from New York’s Essential Workers (Cornell UP, 2025.)
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