The Literature of Journalism: Text and Context

Rating:
Summary: Literature of journalism--not an oxymoron.
Review: A well-selected anthology of non-fiction literature. Berner presents important pieces of 20th century journalism, from Orwell's writings on poverty through New Journalism and other experiments in journalistic style, accompanied by generally readable and interesting essays placng the pieces in historical context. Stories range from the tragic (Hiroshima, Cold Blood) to the subversive (Garcia Marquez's "Shipwrecked Sailor") to the entertaining (articles by Lillian Ross and Hunter Thomas). Most of the selections prove that truth can be more moving, disturbing, engaging, and fascinating than fiction.