The World She Edited: Katharine S. White at The New Yorker

by Amy Reading

A lively and intimate biography of trailblazing and era-defining New Yorker editor Katharine S. White, who helped build the magazine’s prestigious legacy and transform the 20 th century literary landscape for women. In the summer of 1925, Katharine Sergeant Angell White walked into The New Yorker ’s midtown office and left with a job as an editor. The magazine was only a few months old. Over the next thirty-six years, White would transform the publication into a literary powerhouse. This exquisite biography brings to life the remarkable relationships White fostered with her writers and how these relationships nurtured an astonishing array of literary talent. She edited a young John Updike, to whom she sent seventeen rejections before a single acceptance, as well as Vladimir Nabokov, with whom she fought incessantly, urging that he drop needlessly obscure, confusing words. White’s biggest contribution, however, was her cultivation of women writers whose careers were made at The New Yorker —Janet Flanner, Mary McCarthy, Elizabeth Bishop, Jean Stafford, Nadine Gordimer, Elizabeth Taylor, Emily Hahn, Kay Boyle, and more. She cleared their mental and financial obstacles, introduced them to each other, and helped them create now classic stories and essays. She propelled these women to great literary heights and, in the process, reinvented the role of the editor, transforming the relationship to be not just a way to improve a writer’s work but also their life. Based on years of scrupulous research, acclaimed author Amy Reading creates a rare and deeply intimate portrait of a prolific editor—through both her incredible tenure at The New Yorker , and her famous marriage to E.B. White—and reveals how she transformed our understanding of literary culture and community.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Biography Memoir, Journalism, Writing, Feminism

592 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2024

About the author

Amy Reading grew up in Pennsylvania and Washington state. She worked in scholarly publishing before completing a Ph.D. in American studies at Yale University. Her first book, The Mark Inside, grew out of her dissertation on truth and deception in American autobiography, which contains a chapter on swindlers’ memoirs. She lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children, and can be found at www.amyreading.com.

Reviews

[AMenagerieofWords Deb Coco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good editing is invisible, but masterful editing makes visible the unsaid, because a great editor receives what is not on the page - the unrealized, the unthought, the assumed, the retracted, the tentative, the implied.
The World She Edited
Amy Reading

I turned to a work of non-fiction in hopes of busting my fiction slump, which continues to get worse.

The World She Edited has been called an "exhaustive" biography of Katherine White, who edited at The New Yorker beginning in 1925 and she is credited with taking it from a failing startup into its era of prestige. What she did for women in the male dominated field of both editing and publishing is unprecedented; she edited the likes of Vladimir Nabakov, Wallace Stegnar, John Updike, Elizabeth Bishop - the list is long. But she most famously edited E.B. White and their relationship and long marriage takes up more than half of this 600 page book and it is as much about him and the writing of Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web as it is about Katherine's legacy.

I have such mixed feelings about this book because this was exhaustive to a fault (and exhausting for a reader). I found it on LIbby and chose the audio and I admit to glazing over too many times to count. We do not need every single tiny detail of anyone's life and by the end I felt I'd lived White's life. I've complained before about narrator's and mispronunciations going unchecked and this was rife with them. From the egregious pronunciation of White's Alma Mater Bryn Mawr (narrated as Bryn MORE) - over and over and over again. And epistolary (narrated as EPPISSTOELAWRY) and Bangor, Maine (narrated as BANGER) -- where are the audio checkers???

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy learning about how White was able to turn the New Yorker around and there are fabulous details about the evolution of the magazine many of us love. The fact that White was so instrumental and powerful in an era when women in the workforce were few and far between is reason alone to give this book a try.

The irony is rich that the book about an editor really needed an editor!

[Paul Spence · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the summer of 1925, Katharine Sergeant Angell walked into The New Yorker’s midtown office and left with a job as an editor. The magazine was only a few months old. Over the next thirty-six years, White would transform the publication into a literary powerhouse.

This towering but behind-the scenes figure in the history of 20th-century literature finally gets the first-rate biography she deserves in The World She Edited: Katharine S. White at The New Yorker by Amy Reading.

In The World She Edited, Amy Reading brings to life the remarkable relationships White fostered with her writers and how these relationships nurtured an astonishing array of literary talent.

She edited a young John Updike, to whom she sent seventeen rejections before a single acceptance, as well as Vladimir Nabokov, with whom she fought incessantly, urging that he drop needlessly obscure, confusing words.

White’s biggest contribution, however, was her cultivation of women writers whose careers were made at The New Yorker—Janet Flanner, Mary McCarthy, Elizabeth Bishop, Jean Stafford, Nadine Gordimer, Elizabeth Taylor, Emily Hahn, Kay Boyle, and more.

She cleared their mental and financial obstacles, introduced them to each other, and helped them create now classic stories and essays. She propelled these women to great literary heights and, in the process, reinvented the role of the editor, transforming the relationship to be not just a way to improve a writer’s work but also their life.

Based on these years of scrupulous research, acclaimed author Amy Reading creates a rare and deeply intimate portrait of a prolific editor—through both her incredible tenure at The New Yorker, and her famous marriage to E.B. White—and reveals how she transformed our understanding of literary culture and community.

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have I ever read a single anything from The New Yorker? Honestly, I don't know. Not in my adult years (teenage years for AP Comp, maybe?).

It's got a reputation for a level of snootiness, class and sophistication that I can never presume to have, and honestly I'm not a huge literary short story reader.

But I picked this up because it looked interesting, and I've never read a biography about an editor before and wanted to see how a foundational person within an institutional publication lived. And to peep into the life of EB White, who wrote Charlotte's Web...through the eyes of his arguably much more talented wife.

Spoiler alert: she writes a lot. She edits a lot. She helps a lot of writers get famous. She creates The New Yorker into the institution that it is. Double spoiler: EB White kinda sucks for always downplaying Katharine's influence in his work, which was literally on the same level (if not more!!) than Zelda played for Scott.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4.5

A elegantly written account of a fascinating woman and her family during the turn of the 19th to 20th century to the 1960s. My personal hang up was the slow pace of the writing albeit beautifully done. Would highly recommend this book should one be in the mood to learn more about era where women were still finding footing and avenues to follow their passions outside society’s expectations.

[Bonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katharine S. White was an editor to be reckoned with, and what she accomplished at the New Yorker is even more incredible knowing that she managed this while men ran things in the 1930s through 1960. She worked with all aspects of her writers' lives and was such a good editor that she made it look easy. Amy Reading has done quite a bit of research for The World She Edited, and if anything, there may be too many facts presented in this biography. The author presents a fair and human portrait of Katharine White, including her ability to edit people out of her life. I especially enjoyed reading about her relationship with her son, famed baseball writer Roger Angell, and her second husband, E.B. White. Three and a half stars rounded up.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review:

Everyone, say thank you, Katharine S. White! And you can also thank Amy Reading for introducing you to your next literary icon.

I initially sought out this book from my fascination (and a bit of blind loyalty) to the history and the creation of the New Yorker (I was personally devestated with the singular Salinger shout-out, the origin of my New Yorker affection, but it is truly easy to be lost in utter wave of literary phenomena Katharine gave voice and pages to in the storied beginnings of the New Yorker). I've read some background and other non-fiction on the creation which has alluded to Katharine, but never has anything quite given her the space and credit she is clearly due, and this book felt like a necessary addition to the history of the creation and curation of early 20th-century American fiction.

This book is easily one of the most fascinating biographies I've ever read. I've read quite a few memoirs and biographies of writers and artists and creators, but by far, reading about an editor and a curator of literature has been the most interesting and exciting insight into this world. Even amidst the many great names of writers that dipped in and out of New Yorker fashion (by Katharine's approval and admission), my attention never wavered from Katharine, always wanting to hear more from her (and anyway, can it really count as name-dropping when you made all the names droppable?)

Reading's storytelling was entirely compelling and readable. I never once wanted to stop reading, even amidst difficult or "less-than-thrilling" sections. The scope of Katharine's life and influence is magnificent when laid out so expansively and efficiently, and I am in awe of how well every nuance was rendered. I sincerely appreciate how Reading handled every single aspect, not only of life but society and culture, and how both Katharine and the New Yorker (didn't) handle it. Intrigues into troubling times (both of careers and cultures) in the New Yorker and its interaction with society at times was fascinating, and Reading did a fantastic job approaching such situations from modern and sympathetic ends.

The only sometimes laborious parts of the book (and likely indeed of Katharine's life) were the parts surrounding the disappointing and dispiriting men in her life, which would only come into focus when essential to contextualizing Katharine's life in real time. But I did indeed feel bogged down by such insights into the lives of the men surrounding Katharine when she was forced to share her own narrative with the men in her life, who often frustrated me and curtailed the unfolding of Katharine's career and life. Indeed, her capability to hold fast to so much of her life and career (when in reality, the book tells of how much she gave up and how often), is impressive not only for its time, but for Katharine's own views and sense of duty.

This book definitely feels its full weight at some 500 pages, but I also believe that anyone who would be interested enough to pick up and invest the time in this book would be hard-pressed to find too many properly extraneous entities. Indeed, on several occasions, I found happenstances or literary occurrences I would have enjoyed reading even more about!

I've been reading and watching and learning a lot about strong women of years' and worlds' past this year; Katharine S. White and The World She Edited have been my favorite finds thus far. I once again thank Katharine for establishing such a career, and the careers of so many others, and I thank Amy, for telling us all about it.

[Monica Zebold-Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

To my fellow bookworms, you should read this. I learned so much about what an editor does, and how. Maybe some of you already know this (Angie), but I didn’t. It’s a biography of Katherine White and the history of the New Yorker magazine, interspersed with other renown writers. It also takes us through the 1920’s-early 1979’s, and the struggles of women in the workplace despite being highly educated, motivated and effective.

Warning: this is a long book with perhaps a bit too much detail. But I must admit that it adds to our intimate understanding and appreciation for who White was and the many personal challenges she overcame.

[gianina · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exhaustive and evocative biography of one of the most instrumental yet invisible figures of 20th century American literature.

What a remarkable life and career. What’s even more remarkable is that many of us likely remain unaware of how Katharine S. White’s work shaped the literature we grew up with and the New Yorker we continue to read today. “The World She Edited” is truly no understatement.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew little about Katharine White or E.B. White, other than his incredible childrens' books, so this was an illuminating read for me. This biography is also a history of the New Yorker and its editors as well as fascinating commentary on many of the writers that Katharine White nurtured and edited. I also wasn't aware that Roger Angell was her son from her unhappy first marriage. Katharine had a tremendous influence over the development of the New Yorker and of the writers that the magazine published. E.B. White once said: "An editor is a person who knows more about writing than writers, but who has escaped the terrible desire to write."

[Marguerite Hargreaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book, with the expectation I'd review it. Caveat emptor.

My introduction to Katharine White came in 1979, when I bought a copy of Onward and Upward in the Garden, still one of my favorite gardening books for the strong opinions therein. I highly recommend it. I'm a New Yorker subscriber and a voracious reader of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

I'm also a retired newspaper copy and content editor who worked in a predominantly male workplace for nearly 40 years. The dynamic here is very familiar. Part of the editorial balancing act is that writers are inherently possessive about their words. Editors have to make ruthless choices, about context, fairness, truth -- and, especially, length. This volume should dovetail with my interests perfectly. Amy Reading and her editors should have exercised more and better judgment in this gassy book.

I appreciate the vigorous scholarship here, helping shed light on someone who was influential but labored in obscurity. Letters, memos and personal anecdotes are all here. Reading's research is stellar. But, the book is not. The act of collecting information should be followed by thoughtful sifting. White's relations with Nabokov are interesting. Likewise, the mutual hypochondria Katharine suffered/traded with husband E.B. White. Money worries are also germane. But one or two examples are sufficient. This is browbeating. I felt that to continue to read was to choose to suffer. I'm no masochist.

The book includes 18 references to KSW as "formidable." (Thanks, Kindle, for making that easy!) Two mentions would be OK. But 18 is overuse, and condescending (even badgering) to readers. Make the point. Move on.

I don't think it's fair to attempt to dress White in sensibilities about feminism from later (or earlier) days. Every organization is different. Ditto for individuals. What she believed, what she preached and what she did all have to be viewed through different lenses. Leadership and meekness, shrillness and ball-busting might all be conclusions reached about a single act. When money-making is a consideration, the yardsticks make even less sense. This area is both subjective and hugely speculative, not what I expect in biography.

One of my favorite newsroom pals, another editor mom, came in the newsroom late one night with major changes on her mind and posed the question, "Who's here with a brain?" My friend's question is spot-on and refreshingly succinct. This book would be better if it weighed in at 300-some pages. Less is more.

I'm swearing off excessively long biographies. I'll check the page count when I read a review. If I deem it too long, it won't go on my list. (Guess I won't be reading 1,200 pages on Mark Twain.) Book bloat is real. Long books usually cost more, too.

[Joe Kraus · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a central irony to this generally very good biography of Katharine White, one of the great editors at The New Yorker – White herself would have edited this book very differently than its author and editors have.

To the real credit of Amy Reading, who’s produced an impressive scholarly achievement, she acknowledges that explicitly in the closing pages of the book. White, she admits, would not have included anywhere near so much personal material, and she wouldn’t have had the broader perspective of the feminist movement to place herself within it with anywhere near the sympathy, criticism, and insight of Reading.

Above all, though, White would not have wanted this book to be so long. And I agree.

I want to be fair, though. I’m evaluating this from the perspective of someone who, knowing a modest bit about White already, wants a compelling life story. For instance, not long ago, I had a (fun) dispute with a handful of colleagues about ‘style’ – and I took as my guide Josepj Williams’s book which is founded on the same principles as The New Yorker’s sense of style, famously codified in White’s husband, E.B. White’s, Elements of Style.

I wanted a story in keeping with the title of this biography, “the world she edited,” and the relevant parts to me are those where, in the personal and insightful ways that she pioneered, White helped develop that style. I love the sections here where we see how she interacted with the writers she helped develop – Kay Boyle, Vladimir Nabokov, and E.B. White, for instance – and Reading makes me dream of what it would like to have someone like her work on my writing. Or, possibly, what it would be like to live in a literary economy where I could try to do the same sort of editing for others.

Reading is a strong enough writer that I trusted her implicitly from the start, but she puts that trust to the test with several early chapters about White’s ancestry, childhood, and family. The material is relevant to her later career, but not to extent that we get it.

The same is true near the end when we get four chapters – where one would have served – about White’s late-life, only semi-completed ambitions as a writer on gardening.

So, I am evaluating this as a book for someone interested for White in a particular context, the context implied by the subtitle of the book.

Reading looks to me to be doing something more, though. I respect her impulse to cast White as part of an overlooked ‘wave’ of feminists – of women who made careers for themselves before the rise of the ‘second wave’ feminists of Ms. Magazine and elsewhere. It’s striking to see the sustained way that White negotiated gender politics, appearing “formidable” (in the variously positive and negative valences that Reading skillfully unpacks) and yet also nurturing her writers and colleagues. Her approach, which became The New Yorker’s, turned on treating writers developmentally – which we can read as a long-game of nurturing – and allowed for many careers, quite a few of them women’s, that the then-traditional forms of publishing might not have.

And she balanced much of her work on her own self, regularly breaking down physically, picking herself up, and demanding that she – her mind and body – be the glue that holds everyone together.

I have sympathy, but probably a bit less respect, for the way Reading also seems to have found in White a friend-on-paper. I assume Reading is aware of writing what should be the definitive biography here, so she seems reluctant to leave anything out. I’m not sure we ultimately need the names of the horses she enjoyed riding during a stint in Reno, and we may not need to know that much about which furniture and fine art came from which ancestor.

(A quick note on the Reno interlude: I had not realized until this book that, because New-York-state and other place’s divorce laws required adultery of one sort or another – a charade sometimes performed with actors for the sake of being able to split a marriage – Nevada offered a respite. Someone had to reside in Nevada, which tended to mean Reno, for at least six weeks to apply for a divorce. So, there emerged an entire industry of wannabe divorcees who had to ‘summer’ there long enough to file. White did so in her divorce from Ernest Angell.)

Anyway, if you judge this as a scholarly work, one that provides a place for the staggering research Reading has done, it’s probably just as long as it should be.

If you judge it more the way White would have wanted – and where I, who wanted mostly just a sense of how she went about the work of editing that she did – then it’s probably about a third longer than it should be.

Either way, this is an impressive accomplishment, and I’m grateful to Reading for making this remarkable woman’s life as accessible as she has.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Mariner Books for an advance copy of this biography about an editor who was at the perfect place to mentor and foster many literary careers, as well as live a life that was uniquely her own.

If one believes the writer Hunter S. Thompson and his comic book doppelgänger Spider Jerusalem editors are the scum of the earth, one step below politicians and child murderers. Editors get in the way of the artist, changing the words, their meanings, and adding commas where commas shouldn't be. Though, without editors Thompson never would have published anything, as editors typed his copy, listened to his rantings, and put him in the seat to get the ideas down. Taking the work of others and making is better takes skill, tact and an ability to see not only the work, but to get that work to others. An editor is both parent, pal, pusher and a means to publication. A good editor mentors talent, and knows that something the talent isn't there yet, it just needs a little help. This talent was something that Katharine Sergeant Angell White had, one she brought to The New Yorker for almost forty years. In her time she worked with famed authors, but more importantly championed the works of women, who might have been lost in the boys club that was and is the literary world. As good an editor as she was White was probably best at editing her own life, cutting characters and changing points of view to hide things that might effect her narrative. The World She Edited: Katharine S. White at The New Yorker by Amy Reading is a look at this woman the life she created for herself, and those she helped along the way.

Katharine Sergeant, always Katharine never Kate nor Kay was born in Massachusetts, the third and last child, in 1892. Katharine's mother passed away when Katharine was young, leaving her to be raised by a distant father who gave her a love of flowers, and an aunt, who lived her life the way she wanted it. Katharine was a reader devouring anything around her, especially scary books or books she did not understand, calling them the books that meant the most to her while growing up. After college Katharine married early to Ernest Angell, a corporate attorney. With two children, money was soon a little short, as was their relationship. Ernest was having numerous affairs, and so was Katharine. A chance mention got Katharine a job at a magazine that was not doing well at the time, The New Yorker. Katharine charmed Harold Ross, the editor and founder, and though the magazine was losing money, Ross hired Katharine as an editor in charge of going through the slush piles. Katharine was so good that soon she was in charge of a few sections, as well as finding writers for the magazine. One of these was a young writer, E. B. White, who soon became more to Katharine. Divorcing Angell, White and Katharine married, spending the rest of their lives together. Katharine's time at the magazine was one of discovery mentoring authors, pushing established ones out of ruts, or to create something new, or just helping authors find themselves.

A very enjoyable and informative book about a woman who did much for the arts, and yet does not seem to get the praise or appreciation Katharine White deserves. This is a well written book about a woman, who loved writers, and editing, however this is not a hagiography. Reading points out a lot of troubling things in White's career, her lack of minority writers in the magazine. White's ability to write people out of her life without a thought, nor a look back. The writing is really quite good, as is the research, which must have been hard, as White had also no problem changing the record, or erasing uncomfortable reminders. Reading is also very good about the literary aspects, detailing changes in various works, discussing the relationship White had with writers, and the little things that White would do to help people.

A book that is not only a biography, but a look at the literary world of the mid-20th century. White was an amazing woman, who was dealt a rough hand, losing her mother early, health issues, bad choice in a first husband. However, Katharine White never gave up on herself, thinking she was worth it, and unlike many others, proved it in many ways. A great read, one perfect for fans of strong women, strong people, or people who enjoy well written books.

[Michael Reilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Katharine S. White was the senior fiction editor at the New Yorker for most of the years from 1926 to 1960. She was the third most important person in the magazine's history, after Harold Ross and William Shawn. She was married to E. B. White, the author and perhaps the fourth most important person in the magazine's history.

This is a long-detailed biography. Reading has gathered a huge amount of information in the voluminous archives, books, and interviews. All of these New Yorker people loved to write and talk about their work.

Reading is sympathetic to Katharine's challenges in flourishing in an overwhelmingly male world. She worked harder than anyone else. She spent most of her time editing the fiction in the magazine. She read hundreds of stories a week. She closely line edited the stories accepted for the magazine. She negotiated with authors. She recruited new writers and encouraged the existing authors to submit stories. She also was involved at times in every editorial issue at the magazine.

She focused on encouraging new female authors. She developed long term editing relationships, which became personal relationships, with an amazing group of great writers including Mary McCarthy, Vladimir Nabokov, Elizabeth Bishop, John Updike, Jean Stafford, and many more.

She had a reputation for being difficult. Reading notes all of the people who described her as "formidable". Reading sees sexism in this description. It is hard to ignore, however, the evidence which Reading outlines.

Reading concludes that 'Katherine's presentation (serious, reserved, authoritative) did not entirely match her character (curious, generous, sympathetic)." But, at some point, a person's "presentation" is their character.

When she divorced her first husband, her two children believed, for the rest of their lives, that she abandoned them. Reading defends her by saying "The emotional truth of her children's lived experience of the divorce trumped Katharine's emotional truth and the legal facts." The children learned of her marriage to E. B. White from a Walter Winchell newspaper column, which Reading acknowledges was "another strike against Katharine." Reading explains that "Katharine, who was not physically affectionate with her children, often expressed her love in worry."

Reading outline's Katharine's generosity to her father, sister and aunts. She describes the close and supportive relationships she had with some of her writers. It is to Reading's credit that she is honest enough to give the reader a basis for being less sympathetic to Katharine.

Katharine worked to make The New Yorker more serious. "Under Katharine's hand The New Yorker's light verse got darker, more attuned to the discord of urban single life.". She "solicited more serious fiction".

This is a long and serious biography. There are some interesting, detailed examples of the Katharine's close editing. Both Katharine and Andy (E. B. White) suffered from multiple health issues. Andy was also emotionally unstable and a hypochondriac. A worrier and hypochondriac is a bad combination. Reading gets bogged down in the medical reporting at times.

There have been many books about The New Yorker, starting with James Thurber's "The Years With Ross". Most of them are a mix of funny stories and gossip. This is a more serious and thorough study of an important person in the literary history of the twentieth century. I suppose it is appropriate that this serious book about a serious person is not lighthearted.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother was a New Yorker subscriber and I still get the magazine. The cover art is always of interest-sometimes political, sometimes vignettes of NYC life, sometimes just exquisite art. Often there are bits in Talk of the Town that return me to my native city, and there are often book and film reviews of interest. I flip past most of the fiction and poetry, but still read about the restaurants I will never go to, the museum exhibits I won't see. My husband has taken to doing the crossword puzzles. And always there are the cartoons...

Katherine S White was the glue at the center of the New Yorker. A working mother, she struggled against sexism in her field, and she brought many female writers to prominence. Indeed, one of the main aspects of the book is realizing that she nurtured and brought onto the literary stage a vast number of prominent 20th century authors. Ironically, while she dealt with prejudice towards women in her workplace for many years she generally excluded writers of color from the magazine. In this she was a product of her time, and Reading handles that on such terms.

Katherine S White was a fascinating person who led a life beset with health and personal issues.Her second, happy marriage was to E.B. "Andy" White, and if you only know of this as the author of children's books you will learn a great deal about him here.

Generally acknowledgement pages irritate the hell out of me--all those YA idiots thanking everyone from their barista to their doggies! But Reading's pages of acknowledgments here are filled with thanks to White's family, to all her research sources, to everyone whose knowledge she drew upon to write this-and it's an impressive number of pages.

Above all, Mrs White would have approved of how solidly this is written, though I'm sure she would have edited it thoroughly! But, unlike so many other adult bios of recent times I've tried to read, it is truly readable.

And I now think that I will have to use the digital part of my New Yorker subscription, and troll through the old issues!

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been fascinated with the relationships that exist between writers and editors (specifically, see Letters from the Editor: The New Yorker's Harold Ross, Working: Researching, Interviewing, Writing, Max Perkins: Editor of Genius, Editor to Author: the Letters of Maxwell E. Perkins, Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom, Working Days: The Journals of The Grapes of Wrath, and Dear Scott / Dear Max: The Fitzgerald-Perkins correspondence.) This recent addition to the list is one of the best.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know the name Katharine S. White at all (although I've subscribed on a number of occasions to The New Yorker ...it ultimately saddens me to read about neat things happening in NYC when I live in California) - what an interesting human being! The scope of her life and work was very broad, despite the fact that she declined repeated opportunities to step into greater authority at The New Yorker.

Born in 1892, when she died at 84 in 1977 her obituary, printed in The New Yorker, its current editor William Shawn wrote, "More than any other editor except Harold Ross himself, Katharine White gave The New Yorker its shape, and set it on its course."

This biography amazed and delighted me, and I kept thinking of people who I suspect would really enjoy this book as well. I think some of them might also be frustrated by some of the choices KSW (as she signed herself) made that limited her career. For example, she repeatedly chose to put the needs of her (apparently fairly neurotic) second husband, E. B. "Andy" White above her own - shoot, even I wanted to slap him (or her or somebody) once or twice - and I don't measure very high on the "feminist" scale. The author addresses this close to the end of the book but, clearly, these were KSW's own choices and not made under compulsion.

And I discovered all sorts of interesting associations, from the array of amazing authors that Katharine edited and encouraged, to learning that husband Andy (E.B.) was the "White" of Elements of Style by Strunk and White (!!).

[Chris E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

At nearly 500 pages of primary text, “The World She Edited” will surely stand as the definitive biography of Katharine S. White, whose decades-long editorial career defined the first half-century of The New Yorker.

The first sixty pages were an absolute slog of writing about White’s ancestry, early-childhood upbringing, and the suburbs of New England in their heyday; at a time when readers can easily and guiltlessly set a book aside, the need for biographers to reinvent this particular habit of the craft is significant.

Though Reading assesses that White must have been satisfied with her life and her work, I’m not sure “The World She Edited” makes the best case. Reading’s White is constantly ill, worrying about E.B. White’s mental and physical health, providing for an ensemble of solitary family members, managing egotistical writers and colleagues at The New Yorker, defending herself against snipes from The New Yorker’s mid-century critics, and campaigning for the love and respect of her children. The sum total sounds miserable, frankly.

Reading’s best summary of White’s life—which she introduces at the very end of the book—is that Katharine White would have benefited from a supporter and advocate exactly like Katharine White.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an in depth biography which gives much needed credit and attention to this pillar of The New Yorker. Reading studiously recounts in great detail White's Nee England upbringing and value system and her achievements and social circle at Bryn Mawr. She fell in with the New Yorker at its outset and her talent and assiduous attention to detail resulted in her rise to a trusted and influential position second only to Harold Ross himself. She kept a low profile. The authors she edited were usually women, who were often not considered the star writers. But White nurtured them, like a fussy mother hen, and brought out their very best. They nearly unanimously adored her. Reading emphasizes her many positive attributes and successes, while pointing out that she was described as "formidable" by a remarkable number of acquaintances. But one gets the impression that she was a bit of a nag, and her multipage opinions on any number of issues at the magazine were probably greeted with signs and resignation. She was married to E.B. White, and their sequences of health issues, real and perhaps imagined, is truly amazing. But Reading does White justice and this new attention is well deserved.

[Marie Fouhey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating account of the life of Katharine White, an editor at the New Yorker, who worked with Nabokov, Updike and many other talented and well-known writers. The author carefully locates her in the time and place she was working. She doesn't consider White a trailblazer in one sense because at the time women were allowed some influence in the cultural sphere of society. Also, her editing was confined to writers who had a similar background to hers. She never published any African American writers although some of the Harlem Renaissance writers submitted material. But she did establish an informal woman's network of authors and editors and put a lot of effort into developing and encouraging women writers and fought hard for their inclusion in the magazine. I was surprised that her husband, E.B. White was portrayed as nervous and anxious and that she and he were both viewed by some of their colleagues as hypochondriacs. She certainly had enough operations and was hospitalized often enough to give the lie to that particular charge. Her life wasn't easy but she tackled it as an intellectual with energy and enthusiasm and I found her quite admirable.

[Emily Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading this! THE WORLD SHE EDITED is a really thrilling look into the life of a woman who, it turns out, played an even bigger role in building the New Yorker magazine than has previously been revealed, and did it in such a womanly way--through overwork, cultivation of friendships and connections, tender care for her writers, networking, and setting/enforcing standards.

This is a great read for anyone interested in feminism, American class and cultural history of the 1910's to 1960s, literary marriages (she was married to E.B. White), editing, American literature of the last century, or The New Yorker magazine.

I especially appreciated how much good literary gossip was included in the book. Also loved how intimate a portrait it offers of Katharine and her marriages and family.

Fun and eye-opening, sophisticated, and jam packed with detail that the writer gathered over 8 years of research, reading thousands of pages of White's correspondence and notes.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An overall interesting view on the history of women making a place for themselves in the professional world of publishing.KSW lived a consequential life, and navigated uncharted waters of working motherhood, divorce and professional acceptance and success...her life story narrated in context with major events of the first half of 20th century America. KSW nurtured so many of the poets and authors who are heralded in American lit. She was a daughter of her era and many decisions were informed by those norms. Could she have used her privilege to embrace a more inclusive pantheon? Yes, of course. And yet this history tells of her substantial nurturing and encouragement that appear to have been meaningful for so many early careers. It is also interesting how her spouse 'Andy' White is also nurtured and encouraged.

Chapter 9 particularly interesting for those of us with interest in Cleveland and theatre (Cleveland Play House) history.

[Molebatsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Read's book, The World She Edited, tells the story of Katharine White, a quiet but powerful force at The New Yorker magazine. For many decades, she worked behind the scenes to shape the magazine's unique voice and high quality. This biography shows how her careful work with writers made her one of the most important editors in publishing.
A major highlight of her career was her role in defining the style of The New Yorker. She helped create famous sections like "The Talk of the Town" and set the magazine's standards for sharp writing and clever humour. Her own good taste and attention to detail ensured that everything published was excellent, which made the magazine a quick success.
Another key achievement was her talent for finding and nurturing great writers. She edited some of the most famous authors of the time, like E.B. White (who she later married) and John Updike. She gave them confidence and thoughtful feedback, helping them do their best work.

[Shell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The World She Edited offers a thorough, almost exhaustive look at Katharine S. White’s long and influential career at The New Yorker. Amy Reading clearly did her homework — the book is rich with detail about White’s editorial work, her professional relationships, and her role in shaping the magazine’s voice.

For all its comprehensiveness, though, I found the book interesting but often tedious. The density of information made it hard to stay engaged for long periods of time, and the narrative doesn’t move quickly. At times, it felt more like an academic study than a biography meant for general readers.

Still, it provides an excellent historical window into The New Yorker and into White’s quiet but significant impact on American literary culture. A valuable account — just a challenging one to get through. #GoodreadsGiveaways

[Etta Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about Katharine White from Reading’s very detailed and long book. A long book must engage me to keep me going. Reading’s research provided what was for me the right balance of White’s personal life with her professional life. I especially liked the emphasis on White’s relationship with the emerging authors she courted and wooed to stay with the New Yorker. I also enjoyed learning about her relationship with her second husband, known best as E. B. White.
I had no idea that Katharine had written so much about gardens and gardening.

Anyone interested in women’s work as editors-especially those who juggled professional and family life—I believe would enjoy this biography.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about editors, and this was exceptionally well done. Two of the most interesting parts were that Katharine started her adult life in a brief 20-year period when women were expected (and allowed) to thrive in their careers just like men, and that she was a pioneer of working from home, doing much of her editing work from her farm in Maine. I also love seeing biographers use the voluminous correspondence of yesteryear to create a portrait, and Amy Reading did that beautifully.

This was extra fun to read after reading A Century of Fiction in the New Yorker, which of course included many of her authors!

[Mama K · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was an interesting read...mostly. I've seen it described as an "exhaustive" biography....and at about 600 pages, it is that. there's "being thorough in your research," then there's "being overt in showing off your research skills." This author did the latter. at times it was dry and over-exhaustive. Readers do not need every single detail the author learned in her research. also, it seemed to me the focus on her marriage to E. B. White got more emphasis than her own career.
but I did have to offer the author forgiveness, and a little chuckle, when she herself acknowledged this in the final section.

[Amara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Putting together this book was an impressive feat and a great honoring of Katharine S. White. It was exceedingly thorough though, to the point of bogging down the story. Part one and two were so dense with inconsequential details about her life before the New Yorker I almost gave up. I’m glad I kept reading because her work with writers was fascinating and the highlight of the book. I wondered throughout how Katherine would edit this, and in the epilogue Amy Reading even notes “It is amusing to speculate about how Katharine White might have wanted her story told—how she might have edited this very book. It would be shorter.” I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Kate Chieco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which was both a biography of Katharine White, and of the New Yorker magazine. It’s engagingly written, and studded with back office tales of the iconic publication. While reading it it was difficult not to want to turn back the clock to the days when editors were the deep friends of writers— .nurturing them, understanding their quirks, and providing encouragement through the years. Some fascinating tidbits in here about famous writers who never made it into The New Yorker. White was a talent spotter who went above and beyond for the writers she believed in. The author has an intimate and lively style that suits the material.. very good read!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darn it. I'm not going to finish this book. I just can't read it anymore. I am in awe of the extensive research that the author did on this topic, but then I felt like she tried to include it all. I didn't need it all. As other reviewers have said, this biography of an editor is in need of a good editor.

I think Katharine White led such a fascinating life - in all aspects of her life, really. I especially loved reading about her early years with her family. And to be such an integral part of the literary scene in New York City at that time - just amazing.

[wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very informative biography of a central figure of well over forty years in the development of the New Yorker magazine. Katherine White (second marriage) was the primary editor of this influential magazine and the cultivated countless authors over the years who have been literary icons in our country over the years. We also learn about her second husband E. B. White most famous for his authorship of Charlotte's Web. An interesting look into this power couple and their family and friends.