The Press Box The January Issue: ‘In Cold Blood’ and the Invention of True Crime
Jan 30, 2026
A celebration of Truman Capote's In Cold Blood and how it reshaped nonfiction storytelling. Conversations cover Capote's fame and literary persona. They trace his reporting in Kansas, his relationship with the killers, and the book's factual controversies. The discussion closes with the book's cultural impact and the true crime lineage it inspired.
01:38:09
Nonfiction As Literary Thriller
- Truman Capote turned literary skill into a new way to tell factual crime stories that read like novels.
- His claim that every word was true amplified the book's impact and reader disbelief.
From Page 39 To A Book
- Capote read a brief New York Times wire about the Clutters and immediately saw a book hiding in a short paragraph.
- He traveled to Kansas with Harper Lee to report, turning a small squib into a multi-year project.
Pre-Arrest Reporting Advantage
- Capote spent weeks in Holcomb before suspects were arrested, letting him capture the town's shock and texture in real time.
- That early immersion let him render victims and community with unexpected depth.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Capote as Celebrity Writer
03:14 • 41sec
Ad break
03:55 • 21sec
Capote's Public Persona and Fame
04:16 • 5min
Capote's Nonfiction Novel Idea
09:38 • 6min
Modern Nonfiction Novelists
15:41 • 2min
Why Nonfiction With Fiction's Style Works
17:52 • 6min
Capote's Motives and Self-Promotion
23:34 • 4min
Discovering the Clutter Murders
27:12 • 2min
Going to Kansas with Harper Lee
29:40 • 3min
Reporting Before the Arrests
32:18 • 2min
Portrayal of the Clutter Family
33:59 • 10min
Friendship With the Killers
43:30 • 3min
Perry Smith as Central Character
46:41 • 6min
Waiting for the Ending
52:55 • 5min
Publication and Cultural Impact
58:05 • 4min
Rereading: The Power of Capote's Prose
01:02:31 • 4min
Fabulism and Factual Disputes
01:06:27 • 3min
The NewYorker Fact-Checking Context
01:09:35 • 6min
Capote's Decline After Success
01:15:22 • 1min
Capote's Influence on Nonfiction
01:16:40 • 26sec
In Cold Blood as the Birth of True Crime
01:17:05 • 6min
Heirs to Capote
01:23:09 • 5min
Further Reading and Adaptations
01:28:22 • 7min
Outro
01:35:14 • 46sec
#
The muses are heard
an account.
Truman Capote
Truman Capote's 'The Muses Are Heard' chronicles the experiences of an American theatrical company as they tour the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The satirical novella provides a humorous and insightful look at the clash of cultures and ideologies.
Capote captures the personalities and interactions of the cast and crew as they navigate the challenges of performing in a foreign land.
The book explores themes of artistic expression, cultural exchange, and the absurdity of political tensions.
Through witty dialogue and vivid descriptions, Capote offers a compelling commentary on the power of art to transcend boundaries and connect people from different backgrounds.
#
Other Voices, Other Rooms
Truman Capote
Truman Capote's 'Other Voices, Other Rooms' is a Southern Gothic novel that explores the coming-of-age of thirteen-year-old Joel Harrison Knox.
After his mother's death, Joel is sent to live with his estranged father in a decaying mansion in rural Alabama.
The novel delves into themes of identity, isolation, and the search for belonging as Joel navigates a world filled with eccentric characters and hidden secrets.
Capote's lyrical prose and evocative descriptions create a haunting atmosphere, reflecting Joel's internal struggles and his growing awareness of his own sexuality.
'Other Voices, Other Rooms' established Capote as a significant voice in American literature, known for his sensitive portrayals of marginalized individuals.
#
Answered Prayers
Truman Capote
Answered Prayers was envisioned by Truman Capote as a contemporary American analog to Marcel Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time'.
The novel, which Capote began working on in 1958, was intended to be his magnum opus but remained unfinished at the time of his death in 1984.
Only three chapters of the book are known to exist and were published posthumously in 1986 and 1987.
The chapters, including 'La Côte Basque 1965', 'Unspoiled Monsters', and 'Kate McCloud', offer a glimpse into Capote's portrayal of American high society and his unique blend of real-life characters and fictional narratives.
The title is inspired by a quote from Saint Teresa of Avila: 'More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones,' reflecting Capote's bleak vision of life and the consequences of people getting what they desire.
#2891
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
HELTER SKELTER
The True Story of the Manson Murders
Curt Gentry
Vincent Bugliosi
This book provides a comprehensive and gripping narrative of the Manson Family murders, including the Tate-LaBianca killings, and the trial that followed.
Bugliosi's insider perspective as the prosecutor offers unique insights into the investigation, the psychology of Charles Manson and his followers, and the legal processes involved.
The book has become the best-selling true crime book in history and has had a significant impact on popular culture and legal practices.
#44736
I'll Be Gone in the Dark
Michelle McNamara
This book tells the haunting true story of the elusive serial rapist and murderer known as the Golden State Killer, who committed fifty sexual assaults and ten murders in California during the 1970s and 1980s.
The narrative is intertwined with the story of Michelle McNamara, the gifted journalist who dedicated her life to uncovering the identity of the killer.
Despite her tragic death before completing the book, McNamara's work helped unmask the Golden State Killer in April 2018.
The book includes an introduction by Gillian Flynn and an afterword by Patton Oswalt, and it has been hailed as a modern true crime classic for its atmospheric and meticulous investigation.
#261
• Mentioned in 87 episodes
Silent Spring
Rachel Carson
Published in 1962, 'Silent Spring' by Rachel Carson is a seminal work in environmental science.
The book documents the harmful effects of DDT and other pesticides on the environment, including their impact on bird populations, other wildlife, and human health.
Carson argued that these substances should be called 'biocides' due to their broad impact on ecosystems.
The book was serialized in 'The New Yorker' before its full publication and generated significant public and scientific debate.
It led to a reversal in U.S.
pesticide policy, the banning of DDT for agricultural use in 1972, and the establishment of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency in 1970.
Carson's work challenged the prevailing attitudes towards scientific progress and human control over nature, advocating for responsible and careful use of pesticides and highlighting the need for environmental stewardship.
#49045
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
John Berendt
Published in 1994, 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' is a unique blend of travelogue, true crime, autobiography, and Southern gothic.
The book centers around the murder of Danny Hansford by Jim Williams, a respected antiques dealer, and the subsequent trials.
Berendt weaves together stories of Savannah's eccentric residents, including Williams, the Lady Chablis, and Minerva, a spiritualist and root doctor.
The narrative is enriched by Berendt's personal experiences and interactions with the city's inhabitants, providing a vivid portrait of Savannah's culture and history.
#30136
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Low Life
Lures and Snares of Old New York
Lucy Sante
This book provides an arresting and entertaining view of what New York was actually like in its early days.
It is not the familiar saga of mansions, avenues, and robber barons, but rather the story of the city's slums, teeming streets, and various forms of vice and entertainment.
The book is divided into four parts, examining the topography of Manhattan, opportunities for vice and entertainment, the forces of law and order, and the city's tides of revolt and idealism.
It is a provocative book about urban life, evoking the mythology of the modern metropolis and its relevance to the present and future of all cities.
#14328
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Remembering Satan
Lawrence Wright
In 'Remembering Satan', Lawrence Wright delves into the tragic case of Paul Ingram, a respected deputy sheriff accused by his daughters of sexual abuse, which escalated into bizarre claims of satanic ritual abuse.
The book examines how these accusations, fueled by the concept of recovered memory, destroyed a family and captivated a nation obsessed with rumors of a satanic underground.
It provides a psychological detective story and a domestic tragedy, highlighting the dangers when modern science is overshadowed by archaic fears.
#4378
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
The Devil in the White City
Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
Erik Larson
The book tells the dual stories of Daniel H. Burnham, who led the construction of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and H.H.
Holmes, a serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims.
Burnham faced numerous challenges in building the 'White City', while Holmes constructed his 'Murder Castle', a hotel with secret rooms, torture chambers, and other sinister features.
The narrative explores the contrast between the grandeur of the fair and the dark deeds of Holmes, set against the backdrop of late 19th-century America.
#155
• Mentioned in 125 episodes
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a classic novel that explores themes of racial injustice, childhood innocence, and moral courage in the American South.
The story is narrated by Scout Finch, a young girl who witnesses the trial of Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of a crime.
Lee's powerful storytelling captures the complexities of race relations in the Jim Crow South, highlighting the prejudice and injustice faced by Black people.
The novel's enduring appeal lies in its exploration of universal themes of empathy, compassion, and the importance of standing up for what is right.
It remains a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality in America.
#9906
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
The Executioner's Song
Norman Mailer
The Executioner's Song is a Pulitzer Prize-winning true crime novel by Norman Mailer.
The book meticulously reconstructs the events leading up to Gary Gilmore's crimes, his trial, and his ultimate execution by firing squad in Utah in 1977.
It delves into themes of crime, punishment, and the American justice system through a blend of journalism and literary narrative.
The novel details Gilmore's troubled life, his relationships, particularly with Nicole Baker, and the legal battles surrounding his case.
Mailer's work raises questions about rehabilitation, retribution, and the ethics of capital punishment, and it examines the impact of media on high-profile criminal cases.
#1473
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
In Cold Blood
Truman Capote
In 'In Cold Blood', Truman Capote chronicles the brutal murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, on November 15, 1959.
The book follows the lives of the victims, Herb Clutter, his wife Bonnie, and their children Nancy and Kenyon, as well as the perpetrators, Perry Smith and Dick Hickock.
Capote uses a nonfiction novel approach, blending factual reporting with narrative techniques to create a deeply human and emotionally engaging story.
The book explores the psychological states of the murderers, the community's reaction to the crime, and the investigative efforts led by Alvin Dewey of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
It delves into themes of innocence, evil, and the complexities of human nature, particularly through the empathetic portrayal of Perry Smith.
The novel was first published serially in 'The New Yorker' in 1965 and later in book form in 1966, marking a significant contribution to the 'new journalism' genre.
#657
• Mentioned in 46 episodes
Eichmann in Jerusalem
A Report on the Banality of Evil
Hannah Arendt
#80474
Capote
Gerald Clarke
This biography, first published in 1988, provides a detailed and insightful look into the life of Truman Capote.
Based on hundreds of hours of interviews with Capote himself and those who knew him, the book covers his rise to fame as a literary celebrity, his notable works such as 'Other Voices, Other Rooms,' 'Breakfast at Tiffany’s,' and 'In Cold Blood,' as well as his struggles with addiction and self-destruction.
The biography is recognized as a masterpiece of literary art and was the basis for the award-winning film 'Capote'.
#4028
• Mentioned in 11 episodes
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Truman Capote
Published in 1958, 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' is a novella by Truman Capote that follows the life of Holly Golightly, a charming and mysterious woman living in New York City.
The story is narrated by a young writer who befriends Holly and recounts their time together in the 1940s.
Holly, born Lulamae Barnes, is a country girl turned Manhattan socialite who lives by socializing with wealthy men and dreams of a secure life.
The novella explores themes of identity, friendship, and the complexities of Holly's character as she navigates her life in the city.
The book also includes three other short stories: 'House of Flowers', 'A Diamond Guitar', and 'A Christmas Memory'.
Hello, media consumers! Welcome to the January Issue. This month, Bryan and David come together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Truman Capote’s ‘In Cold Blood’ being published by Random House. This episode is broken into four chapters, just like the non-fiction novel. Bryan and David start Chapter 1 by discussing Truman Capote himself, and how he was the podcast guest before there were podcast guests (03:20). They have a conversation about who is comparable to Capote in the modern age (09:09), why non-fiction with the style of fiction hits the reader the way it does (17:22), and why Capote wanted to combine these styles (21:04). In Chapter 2, the guys dive into the relationship between Capote and the killers of the Clutter family (26:41), Capote’s journalistic good luck (31:54), and his interviewing techniques (37:21). In Chapter 3, Bryan and David talk about what they made of ‘In Cold Blood’ after re-reading it (1:01:51), Truman Capote’s fabulism (1:05:48), and whether ‘In Cold Blood’ would have been as successful if Capote had said it was almost all true (1:12:14). In Chapter 4, Bryan and David take a look at the impact ‘In Cold Blood’ has had on the media (1:14:43). They discuss ‘In Cold Blood’ being the invention of true crime (1:16:06), and what the heirs of the book are (1:22:32). The January Issue ends with Bryan and David recommending other books you might like if you enjoyed reading ‘In Cold Blood’ (1:30:27). All that and more, here on The Press Box.
Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker
Guests: Chip McGrath and Gerald Clarke
Producers: Isaiah Blakely and Bruce Baldwin
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