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Controversy: And Other Essays in Journalism, 1950–1975
An in-depth journey through America and the world in the postwar years, from a New York Times–bestselling historian and biographer.
Among his many accomplishments, William Manchester was especially known for his book The Death of a President, the award-winning account of the assassination of John F. Kennedy that embroiled him in a lawsuit filed by Jackie Kennedy. The title essay in this collection recounts the experience of publishing that book, and of his battle with JFK’s widow.
In addition, Controversy includes a wide range of journalistic pieces published in the period between World War II and Vietnam, covering events from the Bay of Pigs fiasco to Watergate and highlighting the insights and observations of a distinguished career that earned the author the National Humanities Medal and the Abraham Lincoln Literary Award, among other honors.
“A work of love, even passion. . . . Mr. Manchester’s final telling of the death of Kennedy is most moving.” —Gore Vidal
Among his many accomplishments, William Manchester was especially known for his book The Death of a President, the award-winning account of the assassination of John F. Kennedy that embroiled him in a lawsuit filed by Jackie Kennedy. The title essay in this collection recounts the experience of publishing that book, and of his battle with JFK’s widow.
In addition, Controversy includes a wide range of journalistic pieces published in the period between World War II and Vietnam, covering events from the Bay of Pigs fiasco to Watergate and highlighting the insights and observations of a distinguished career that earned the author the National Humanities Medal and the Abraham Lincoln Literary Award, among other honors.
“A work of love, even passion. . . . Mr. Manchester’s final telling of the death of Kennedy is most moving.” —Gore Vidal
429 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1976
38 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
William Manchester
81 books568 followersWilliam Raymond Manchester was an American author and biographer, notable as the bestselling author of 18 books that have been translated into 20 languages.He was awarded the National Humanities Medal and the Abraham Lincoln Literary Award.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 10, 2015
As the title suggests – it simply couldn’t be better. A collection of the stories, behind the stories – some of it known and most of it now forgotten 40+ years after the publishing date of this book.
I would recommend that anyone interested in this book should first read several others by Mr. Manchester to better understand his blunt manner, direct use, and highly skilled ability with the written English language he employs within his writing style. The books I recommend (though not specifically necessary) you read before this one are American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880–1964, The Death of a President: November 20 – 25; and Goodbye, Darkness: A Memoir of the Pacific War. The first Manchester book written became a Pulitzer Prize in 1951 Disturber of the Peace: The Life of H.L. Mencken.
There’s a journalist in all of us to some varying degree. The interesting point for reading this book is the ability to look back to the time this book was published and consider some of the statements made by Mr. Manchester. For “his time” he was a self-prescribed “liberal” and voted as a Democrat on a regular basis. We find this true throughout the book at specific chapters (where deemed appropriate by title of specific chapters) and he makes no apologies in this regard. In this sense he is true to himself and it does not diminish his ability as Journalist, Historian, Biographer, etc. The short chapter on the slum lord; and, the chapter on Adlai Stevens was quite telling of the depression era bond (or “invisible scar” as he calls it) that Mr. Manchester had with the Democratic Party throughout his life. There are some moments in reflection within this book that have an uncanny appeal to the sense of flash-forward viewpoints. Several stood out on topics ranging from lack of respect of authority to journalism as a whole. Long, long ago we have forgotten (or nearly) the losing candidate of the 1952 election. I for one had no idea he was so beloved worldwide and I appreciate the fact that Mr. Manchester took time to describe this historical time frame in 1975 and in this particular book. Ike who is a favorite President of mine (who is not my favorite General of the Second World War) beat an admirable Candidate for Office of the President of the United States – we should have more politicians like these in this day and age – we could actually get something “done” for a change and the people that “hire” the politicians could feel the investment of tax dollars are actually going to the benefit of the American People rather than illegal immigrants and causes that serve no purpose. This is a chapter President Obama should read – for none other than purposes of clarity and sense of direction that is unmistaken as to “intent” and “design”.
After having read of “Death of a President” I came to understand (through minimal research) that there was great difficulty in not only writing the book, but getting it published. The first chapter is related to his experience in the attempt to merely “getting it published.” If you’ve read “Death of a President” then you will come to understand better the challenges confronted in the author and future candidate for President in RFK. You will also come to understand the effects of the assassination on Jackie Kennedy of the time. This book “Controversy and Other Essays in Journalism” will show you yet a different and more personal view point of the relationship the author had with President Kennedy and later on a professional and kind manner with Jackie following the completion of the book. This chapter is an excellent accompanying Segway between Portrait of a President and The Death of a President both are masterpieces that may have been great sellers in their time; however, (and along with this book) has yet to reach its full historical perspective. Mr. Manchester was one of the most outspoken critics of the Oliver Stone film “JFK”.
Each chapter in this book is a different topic between the years 1950 – 1975 and is a reflection of who we became as an American people in a Post WW II nation. Some of the statements written by Mr. Manchester are quite striking and hit a nerve on topics relevant for today – how relevant for the future is yet to be discovered; though will be no less significant. There is a chapter in this book for everyone; something of interest that will captivate the reader more so than other chapters – each chapter however is a gem unto itself in my opinion.
I would recommend that anyone interested in this book should first read several others by Mr. Manchester to better understand his blunt manner, direct use, and highly skilled ability with the written English language he employs within his writing style. The books I recommend (though not specifically necessary) you read before this one are American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880–1964, The Death of a President: November 20 – 25; and Goodbye, Darkness: A Memoir of the Pacific War. The first Manchester book written became a Pulitzer Prize in 1951 Disturber of the Peace: The Life of H.L. Mencken.
There’s a journalist in all of us to some varying degree. The interesting point for reading this book is the ability to look back to the time this book was published and consider some of the statements made by Mr. Manchester. For “his time” he was a self-prescribed “liberal” and voted as a Democrat on a regular basis. We find this true throughout the book at specific chapters (where deemed appropriate by title of specific chapters) and he makes no apologies in this regard. In this sense he is true to himself and it does not diminish his ability as Journalist, Historian, Biographer, etc. The short chapter on the slum lord; and, the chapter on Adlai Stevens was quite telling of the depression era bond (or “invisible scar” as he calls it) that Mr. Manchester had with the Democratic Party throughout his life. There are some moments in reflection within this book that have an uncanny appeal to the sense of flash-forward viewpoints. Several stood out on topics ranging from lack of respect of authority to journalism as a whole. Long, long ago we have forgotten (or nearly) the losing candidate of the 1952 election. I for one had no idea he was so beloved worldwide and I appreciate the fact that Mr. Manchester took time to describe this historical time frame in 1975 and in this particular book. Ike who is a favorite President of mine (who is not my favorite General of the Second World War) beat an admirable Candidate for Office of the President of the United States – we should have more politicians like these in this day and age – we could actually get something “done” for a change and the people that “hire” the politicians could feel the investment of tax dollars are actually going to the benefit of the American People rather than illegal immigrants and causes that serve no purpose. This is a chapter President Obama should read – for none other than purposes of clarity and sense of direction that is unmistaken as to “intent” and “design”.
After having read of “Death of a President” I came to understand (through minimal research) that there was great difficulty in not only writing the book, but getting it published. The first chapter is related to his experience in the attempt to merely “getting it published.” If you’ve read “Death of a President” then you will come to understand better the challenges confronted in the author and future candidate for President in RFK. You will also come to understand the effects of the assassination on Jackie Kennedy of the time. This book “Controversy and Other Essays in Journalism” will show you yet a different and more personal view point of the relationship the author had with President Kennedy and later on a professional and kind manner with Jackie following the completion of the book. This chapter is an excellent accompanying Segway between Portrait of a President and The Death of a President both are masterpieces that may have been great sellers in their time; however, (and along with this book) has yet to reach its full historical perspective. Mr. Manchester was one of the most outspoken critics of the Oliver Stone film “JFK”.
Each chapter in this book is a different topic between the years 1950 – 1975 and is a reflection of who we became as an American people in a Post WW II nation. Some of the statements written by Mr. Manchester are quite striking and hit a nerve on topics relevant for today – how relevant for the future is yet to be discovered; though will be no less significant. There is a chapter in this book for everyone; something of interest that will captivate the reader more so than other chapters – each chapter however is a gem unto itself in my opinion.
February 3, 2019
An interesting book, I had read a partial essay from this work and decided that I wanted to read the complete work. The essays cover a wide range of topics, I especially like the essays on the Kennedy assassination and Mencken. Most of the other essays were entertaining and informative. Recommended for everyone interested in history...SLT
October 24, 2024
I only read the first Essay - Controversy, about the publication of his book about the assassination. He talks about it in his book Death of a President, which I am reading now., in concurrence with the Warren Report, hoping to be done on the Anniversary - 61st
December 17, 2018
William Manchester is one of my favorite authors and this book does not disappoint.
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July 31, 2015
I'm not real sure why this book is titled "and Other Essays in Journalism." I was expecting essays about journalism (being a journalist, or controversies in journalism -- maybe a controversial topic, or a topic that was covered in such a way that certain parties disagreed with -- or other focuses on journalism). Instead, there's the title essay ("Controversy") about writing The Death of a President: November 20-November 25, 1963 about JFK's death, and then lots of random essays about history. There are four about war (the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII), some about government (a really good essay about the Treasury Department), some about famous people (John D. Rockefeller, Adlai Stevenson, Walter Reuther, etc.), and one for his mentor, H.L. Mencken. But why are these called "Essays in Journalism"?
Good essays, for the most part, they're just not in any way what I was expecting.
Good essays, for the most part, they're just not in any way what I was expecting.
September 13, 2015
Wonderful book on wide-ranging topics, told with humor or pathos or little-known backgrounds on a variety of interesting subjects. I've already read two of his other books, "American Caesar" and "The Glory and the Dream", and these essays come up to those books in quality. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews