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Brooklyn: A Personal Memoir: With the lost photographs of David Attie
In 2001, Truman Capote’s stylish homage to Brooklyn was brought back into print, but not until 2014— more than fifty years after they were taken—were the original photographs commissioned to illustrate the essay discovered by the late photographer’s son. Also found among the negatives were previously unknown portraits of Capote; none of the photos had ever been published.
Now, with the publication of A Personal Memoir, with the lost photographs of David Attie , the words and images are united for the first time.
With an introduction by George Plimpton and afterword by Eli Attie.
Now, with the publication of A Personal Memoir, with the lost photographs of David Attie , the words and images are united for the first time.
With an introduction by George Plimpton and afterword by Eli Attie.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2015
1 person is currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Truman Capote
346 books7,303 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Truman Capote was an American writer whose non-fiction, stories, novels and plays are recognised literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958) and In Cold Blood (1965), which he labeled a "non-fiction novel." At least 20 films and TV dramas have been produced from Capote novels, stories and screenplays.
He was born as Truman Streckfus Persons to a salesman Archulus Persons and young Lillie Mae. His parents divorced when he was four and he went to live with his mother's relatives in Monroeville, Alabama. He was a lonely child who learned to read and write by himself before entering school. In 1933, he moved to New York City to live with his mother and her new husband, Joseph Capote, a Cuban-born businessman. Mr. Capote adopted Truman, legally changing his last name to Capote and enrolling him in private school. After graduating from high school in 1942, Truman Capote began his regular job as a copy boy at The New Yorker. During this time, he also began his career as a writer, publishing many short stories which introduced him into a circle of literary critics. His first novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms, published in 1948, stayed on The New York Times bestseller list for nine weeks and became controversial because of the photograph of Capote used to promote the novel, posing seductively and gazing into the camera.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Capote remained prolific producing both fiction and non-fiction. His masterpiece, In Cold Blood, a story about the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, was published in 1966 in book form by Random House, became a worldwide success and brought Capote much praise from the literary community. After this success he published rarely and suffered from alcohol addiction. He died in 1984 at age 59.
Truman Capote was an American writer whose non-fiction, stories, novels and plays are recognised literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958) and In Cold Blood (1965), which he labeled a "non-fiction novel." At least 20 films and TV dramas have been produced from Capote novels, stories and screenplays.
He was born as Truman Streckfus Persons to a salesman Archulus Persons and young Lillie Mae. His parents divorced when he was four and he went to live with his mother's relatives in Monroeville, Alabama. He was a lonely child who learned to read and write by himself before entering school. In 1933, he moved to New York City to live with his mother and her new husband, Joseph Capote, a Cuban-born businessman. Mr. Capote adopted Truman, legally changing his last name to Capote and enrolling him in private school. After graduating from high school in 1942, Truman Capote began his regular job as a copy boy at The New Yorker. During this time, he also began his career as a writer, publishing many short stories which introduced him into a circle of literary critics. His first novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms, published in 1948, stayed on The New York Times bestseller list for nine weeks and became controversial because of the photograph of Capote used to promote the novel, posing seductively and gazing into the camera.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Capote remained prolific producing both fiction and non-fiction. His masterpiece, In Cold Blood, a story about the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, was published in 1966 in book form by Random House, became a worldwide success and brought Capote much praise from the literary community. After this success he published rarely and suffered from alcohol addiction. He died in 1984 at age 59.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 30, 2016
Capote has always written with a tinge of bitter-sweetness; this reflection on a neighborhood that is vanishing even as he writes about it will be appreciated by anyone who has ever asked "what happened to the old neighborhood?"
March 15, 2016
I read this book in about an hour. There is an essay by Truman Capote entitled Brooklyn: A Personal Memoir. What makes this book special is that some photos which were taken by David Attie show the Brooklyn which Capote is describing in his essay. However, these photographs were only recently discovered by Attie's son and added to the essay. There are heretofore unseen photos of Truman Capote in his Brooklyn habitat. The photos are all in black and white which adds to their charm. Capote's descriptive prose coupled with Attie's dramatic photos make this a special book, one to be looked at again and again.
January 7, 2016
Do yourself a huge favor. As soon as possible. Read this book.
I don't say this often, but if you can--BUY this book.
What a fabulous, true story behind how it came into being (as read in the Afterword.)
An incomparable writer. Capote's brief memoir is paired with photographs that seem to be almost too-earily matched with his prose. Such a treat to have discovered this. Please share it with your friends!
I don't say this often, but if you can--BUY this book.
What a fabulous, true story behind how it came into being (as read in the Afterword.)
An incomparable writer. Capote's brief memoir is paired with photographs that seem to be almost too-earily matched with his prose. Such a treat to have discovered this. Please share it with your friends!
March 14, 2016
A lovely book! Capote's short memoir of Brooklyn Heights reads like poetry and is paired with evocative black and white images by David Attie of the place and time (the late 50's) Capote describes. There's an introduction by George Plimpton and an afterword by Eli Attie, David's son. These round out the experience. A wonderful way to spend an hour or so.
July 29, 2016
What a fantastic book! The book is one part a reprint of Truman Capote's magazine article for Holiday, a magazine in the 1950's & 60's about where he lived in Brooklyn. It is also a rediscovery of the original photographs of David Attie. Attie was assigned the task of producing photographs to accompany Capote's sketch. They spent the day together where Capote showed him what he thought was significant for his sketch. Attie spent several days photographing the area. The magazine used 4 of the photographs out of hundreds taken.
This book is also a treasure trove of David Attie's photographs that his son Eli Attie discovered amongst his late father's studio.
Just a delight to see Brooklyn and the way things were in my childhood. Just a delight to read another early piece of early Truman Capote literature. He wrote this magazine article about the time his Breakfast at Tiffany's was being published.
This book is also a treasure trove of David Attie's photographs that his son Eli Attie discovered amongst his late father's studio.
Just a delight to see Brooklyn and the way things were in my childhood. Just a delight to read another early piece of early Truman Capote literature. He wrote this magazine article about the time his Breakfast at Tiffany's was being published.
July 24, 2018
I love old photographs and I love Truman Capote. This book has a lovely essay by Capote and then the loveliest pictures were taken by a wonderful photographer specifically in the area where Capote's essay takes place. Capote went with the photographer, David Attie, to show him his neighborhood. I felt like I went on a little tour with them both, Truman narrating and David Attie taking the pictures.
May 24, 2025
As someone who lives in this neighborhood in 2025, I geeked out reading this and recognizing areas, even bars that he mentioned. His vocab & turns of phrases are kinda hilarious. Not sure how much this would interest someone that isn't familiar with Brooklyn Heights, but the photographs were stunning!
November 11, 2022
Great pics, interesting intro and afterword. I still don't care much for Capote's writing. It escapes me. There doesn't seem to be any there there.
A book of the photographer's work would have been better received.
A book of the photographer's work would have been better received.
December 9, 2025
Yes I am absolutely enamored with the writings of Capote, and this one came to me fortuitously, including photos of Brooklyn as well. My dreams of New York City have yet to calm, and I'm sure after this they shall increase tenfold!
December 21, 2020
Brooklyn, in prose and photo. Gorgeous.
October 2, 2022
Capote is peerless. Great pics too!
December 13, 2024
Beautiful artefact
Want to read
September 29, 2017In 2001, Truman Capote’s stylish homage to Brooklyn was brought back into print, but not until 2014— more than fifty years after they were taken—were the original photographs commissioned to illustrate the essay discovered by the late photographer’s son. #biography #memoir #photograph
January 19, 2016
Nice views of life in 1950's Brooklyn waterfront. Essay was fine, but nothing outstanding.
Want to read
March 12, 2019Recommended on West Wing podcast.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews