All About the Story

News, Power, Politics, and the Washington Post

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Pub Date 22 Sep 2020 | Archive Date 21 Sep 2020

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Description

At a time when the role of journalism is especially critical, the former executive editor of the Washington Post writes about his nearly fifty years at the newspaper and the importance of getting at the truth.
In 1964, as a twenty-two-year-old Ohio State graduate with working-class Cleveland roots and a family to support, Len Downie landed an internship with the Washington Post. He would become a pioneering investigative reporter, news editor, foreign correspondent, and managing editor, before succeeding the legendary Ben Bradlee as executive editor.
Downie's leadership style differed from Bradlee's, but he played an equally important role over more than four decades in making the Post one of the world's leading news organizations. He was one of the editors on the historic Watergate story and drove coverage of the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. He wrestled with the Unabomber's threat to kill more people unless the Post published a rambling 30,000-word manifesto and he published important national security stories in defiance of presidents and top officials. He managed the Post's ascendency to the pinnacle of influence, circulation, and profitability, producing prizewinning investigative reporting with deep impact on American life, before the digital transformation of news media threatened the Post's future.
At a dangerous time, when health and economic crises and partisanship are challenging the news media, Downie's judgment, fairness, and commitment to truth will inspire anyone who wants to know how journalism, at its best, works.
At a time when the role of journalism is especially critical, the former executive editor of the Washington Post writes about his nearly fifty years at the newspaper and the importance of getting at...

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ISBN 9781541742284
PRICE $30.00 (USD)
PAGES 368

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Featured Reviews

Although Len Downie Jr. isn't as well known as Ben Bradlee Jr., he led the Washington Post through some difficult and trying times as executive editor. Downie, who began as an intern in 1964, enjoyed a 44-year career at The Post. He held a variety of positions, including investigative reporter, assistant Metro Editor, Metro Editor, London correspondent, assistant national editor, national editor and managing editor.

Downie, who described himself as the anti-Ben Bradlee (Ivy Leaguer, blue blood ancestry and multiple political connections) was dedicated to the pursuit of the truth, like Bradlee. He was also driven by accountability journalism. He believed in the phrase "Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable."

These beliefs put Downie, like Bradlee, in many difficult situations. Under great responsibility and pressure, he had to made decisions that weren't easy or popular. He explains how and why he made certain decisions. In the end, major news decisions rested with him.

Following Downie's career, as a reporter and editor, is like traveling through a cyclorama of recent history--Watergate, Jim Jones and Jonestown, the conflicts in Northern Ireland, the political career of Margaret Thatcher, the marriage of Prince Charles and Diana, the presidential campaigns, the Clintons and Whitewater, the Unabomber, 9/11 (the Post had 66 articles the following day), the Iraqi War and weapons of mass destruction, Abu Ghraib and more.

Two growing trends during Downie's career were investigative journalism and the importance of a politician's character and his activities outside of his/her office. Downie was The Post's first investigative journalist. Gary Hart, 1988 presidential candidate, challenged the media to investigate his character, and they did.

Other politicians with character issues include Washington D.C. mayor Marion Barry, Bob Packwood, Wilbur Mills, Bob Dole and others.

Downie says making decisions on how to cover character issues was tough, but it was important to hold politicians accountable, while also upholding the Post's standards and his own.

Downie stresses that newspapers are not democracies. Someone ultimately must decide what goes into the newspaper, what goes on the front page, when is a controversial article ready to publish, it is accurate and free of libel issues and more.

The challenge and rush of that ultimate responsibility drove Downie, whose dedication to the Post cost him two marriages. To his credit, Downie, who was forced to retire in 2008 at age 66, admits his mistakes as executive editor.

Downie provides an interesting and entertaining look into one of the world's greatest newspaper.

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Thanks to Netgalley and PublicAffairs for giving me the chance to read Len Downie’s upcoming memoir. Typically I am not a fan of the memoir genre but I have a huge fascination for all things journalism, and especially the Washington Post, so this caught my eye. I must say I was not familiar with Len Downie, I only knew of other Washington Post editors from movies (All the President’s Men, The Post, Spotlight). Downie’s stories were fascinating and gave a great look at the decisions and stresses going on in the newsroom. The book was also a fantastic recent history lesson covering from the 1968 MLK assassination through the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. I highly recommend this title.

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This was much better than I thought it was going to be and a behind the scenes look into a well known newspaper that has been around a long time. The author has been fascinated with news and journalism hos whole life and was lucky to get a job as an intern during his senior year of high school. Unlike some newspapers and columnists that share false news. Downie strives to share nothing but the truth even if it angers his boss and coworkers.

This had great insight into the journalism world and that it isn't as easy it looks. I appreciate the candor and honesty the author shares about his beloved career. I felt like I was along for the entire ride. Absolutely fascinating and a different kind of read for me. I hope he writes more because I would read it.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available;: 9/22/20

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