Letters to a Young Journalist (Art of Mentoring (Paperback))

I was a journalist for 17 years and have a son who is entering the profession (who's therefore a part of Freedman's target audience of "young journalists"), and Freedman gets it absolutely right. This brief introduction to journalism upholds all the traditional values that need to be upheld in the profession: hard work, integrity, the ability to ask the right questions and to listen to what people tell you, the importance of starting at the bottom and learning one's craft.Most important, Freedman conveys the importance and the excitement of being a journalist. One doesn't have to cover the White House to be a success; Freedman, a former New York Times reporter who now writes books and teaches at the Columbia School of Journalism, never did that. Rather, good journalism means getting it right, telling the reader how people live day to day, what people care about, how they think and how they feel.Freedman weighs in not only against the Jayson Blairs of the world but against any nonfiction writer who fudges the details in the interest of a better story, who uses composite characters, or who makes himself or herself the story. But he's no fuddy-duddy. The unique camaraderie of newspaper work, the late nights, the deadlines, even the rounds of drinks at seedy bars --they're all here. And he gives more than adequate thought to technology, recognizing that many of the young journalists he's addressing may be writing for Web sites rather than traditional newspapers.And he cares about writing. Freedman argues for "a certain kind of subtle, dignified, formally correct prose against the slickness that too often passes for literary style, that grab-bag of sentence fragments, cliches, and elaborate metaphors." He quotes a colleague: "When the reporter in you is finished, then the writer in you has to lock the reporter out of the room. And when the writer in you is finished, then the editor in you has to lock the writer out of the room."All told, this is an indispensable book for anyone who's starting out as a journalist.

I had to read this book for a J-school class. It was deep and personal. After reading this book, I decided that I didn't want to be a journalist. Nevertheless, it was a great book and I was fortunate enough to meet the author when he came to my school. He teaches at Columbia J-school.

I gave this book to my oldest daughter, who is a 2nd year college journalism major! WOW...I am so glad I discoveredthis telling book for her on Amazon! A MUST READ for any student with a journalism major or just an interestin it. Years from now, she will look back at certain advice in this book! BRAVO!

This is a wonderful, well written book about being a journalist.

Great book!

As an accomplished professor, journalist and author, Samuel G. Freedman's book about being a young journalist confirmed and demolished the ideas of beginning a journalism career. He confirmed many things since his aspirations began young (which reflects my situation) and demolished the idea of an easy lifestyle (the romanticized idea of journalism). Among the rubble, Freedman is also building the early lessons of working for a local paper; the stepping stone of every newspaper journalist. With woes Freedman rebuttals with success -- during the early process of his life as journalist. The biggest gains from this book is the underused journalism jargon. Instead of the inverted pyramid, you receive tactics of a different form that can be added to your arsenal of writing tools. With biographical epiphanies given to this young journalist, one can see why Freedman writes for the NY Times. The unpredictable journey is about to begin and before you can make a foolish mistake, Freedman's book throws you a life jacket to save yourself. But as a young journalist, you will still need to tread water for a long time where some may drown.

No, this book is not a point-by-point on "How to be a journalist." Thankfully it is so much more valuable.If you are young and have any aspirations to serious journalism... if you have been a journalist for a long time... if you are just interested in learning what journalism is all about... you will want to own this book in hardcover.In many respects "Letters to a Young Journalist" is no mere collection of "letters" at all but the final word on the subject.Reading this book is like being in the presence of a master of his craft who understands both the ideals and the realities of its practice and masterfully --and honestly-- reconciles them. In doing so, Freedman makes journalistic ideals life-giving and heady and well within any journalist's reach, not simply youthful illusions to be discarded after years in the newsroom. I can imagine a well-seasoned journalist jumping up from his/her desk and wanting to go out an conquer the world one story at a time.Freedman manages to show how by hewing to the ideals and the rigorous practice of craft, the journalist not only can do great work but can endure and love his/her profession for a lifetime. It is funny, intelligent and condenses within its modest frame a journalism school all its own. An exciting one-sitting read and a dog-eared reference book from then on.

American journalism is deeply flawed, but not fatally so, reporter Samuel G. Freedman argues in this clear-eyed critique of his calling. As one deeply steeped in his trade, Freedman offers both a damning indictment and an inspiring call to the next generation. Freedman structures his analysis as a series of letters to one of his students, and manages to strike just the right balance between the theoretical and the practical. He seasons his study with plenty of war stories from the front lines of journalism. In a business full of cynics, Freedman comes across as an idealist, one reporter who believes in the power of the press to change the world, in spite of dwindling readership and advertising revenue. We recommend this slim volume to anyone who works in the media or needs to understand its best intentions.

I study journalism since a year or so. This book is very inspiring. Everyone who think about becoming a journalist would benefit from reading it.