Reporter: A Memoir

by Seymour M. Hersh
Reporter: A Memoir cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Investigative Journalism
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  • ID: 4424
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780141989105
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2018-06-05
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Seymour Hersh's journey from a struggling dry cleaning store in Southside Chicago to becoming a legendary investigative journalist is a testament to determination and journalistic integrity. His career spans pivotal moments in American history, from the Civil Rights Movement to the Abu Ghraib scandal, showcasing his relentless pursuit of truth. Through his work, Hersh has encountered iconic figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Henry Kissinger, and Bashar al-Assad, weaving a narrative that reflects the complexities of 20th-century America. His investigations have exposed military and political wrongdoing, earning him both acclaim and controversy, but always maintaining a commitment to uncovering the truth.

Reviews
I Read Therefore I Blog · 2023-12-24
excellent 4.50

The book provides a comprehensive breakdown of Hersh's career, from his beginnings to his approach to journalism. The reviewer finds it a valuable read for understanding his impact.

I Read Therefore I Blog offers a very positive review of Seymour Hersh's memoir. They appreciate the comprehensive breakdown of his career, from how he got started to his approach to journalism. The reviewer finds the book valuable for understanding Hersh's impact and the events he covered. They highlight that the memoir is a great resource for anyone interested in investigative journalism. Overall, they feel that the book is a must-read for those who want to learn more about Hersh's contributions to the field.

Quick quotes

    I can't fault this book for giving a fairly comprehensive breakdown of his career in journalism, from how he got started to how he approached ...

    Reporter is just wonderful. Truly a great life, and what shines out of the book, amid the low cunning and tireless legwork, is Hersh's warmth and humanity.

    Reporter is a miracle. From the first lines of chapter one, Hersh adopts a different voice, one of modulation, nuance, warmth, and—dare I say it—soul ...

The National Book Review · 2018-06-11
positive 4.00

The memoir provides intriguing details about Hersh's life in journalism, adding depth to well-known stories. The reviewer appreciates the additional context and insights.

The National Book Review's take on Seymour Hersh's memoir is quite positive. They appreciate how Hersh adds depth to his well-known stories, providing new insights and context. The reviewer finds these details intriguing and engaging, making the memoir a compelling read. They highlight that Hersh's fearless reporting and the additional details make the book a valuable addition to his body of work. Overall, they feel that the memoir offers a unique perspective on his career and the events he covered.

Quick quotes

    Hersh recounts his life in journalism in his memoir, Reporter, and while many of the stories by this point are well known, he fleshes out details, adds some ...

    Hersh's fearless reporting has earned him fame, front-page bylines ...

    At its best, Reporter is a lively self-portrait of a maverick and troublemaker.

The Guardian · 2018-06-10
critical 2.00

The review criticizes the memoir for focusing on trivial details, leaving an unpleasant impression. The reviewer finds the book's tone off-putting and irrelevant.

The Guardian's review of Seymour Hersh's memoir is quite critical. They point out that the book spends too much time on trivial details, like Hersh's eating habits, which they find irrelevant and distracting. This focus on the mundane overshadows the more significant aspects of his career. The reviewer also mentions that the book's tone is off-putting, leaving an unpleasant taste. Overall, they feel that the memoir could have been more focused on Hersh's impactful journalism rather than these trivial details.

Quick quotes

    "wolfish greed with which he scoffed his eggs"

    Come on!

    The review leaves an unpleasant taste by snarking about irrelevant details.

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