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Deadline: A Memoir
An award-winning journalist offers an illuminating memoir that reveals the pivotal events of the twentieth century and of his own life, his role as a newspaperman, and the course of American journalism
539 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
About the author
James Barrett Reston
6 books1 followerScottish-born American journalist James Barrett Reston, known as Scotty and after 1939 associated with the New York Times, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1945 and 1957 for his reporting.
His poor, devout Presbyterian family migrated to the United States in 1920. He sailed with his mother and sister to New York as steerage passengers on board the steamship Mobile, and authorities inspected them at Ellis Island on September 28, 1920. After working briefly for the Springfield, Ohio, Daily News, he joined the Associated Press in 1934. He moved to the London bureau of the but returned in 1940. In 1942, he took leave of absence to establish an office of war information of United States in London. Rejoining in 1945, Reston was assigned to District of Columbia as national correspondent. In 1948, he was appointed diplomatic correspondent, followed by bureau chief and columnist in 1953.
Reston married his wife Sally (born Sarah Jane Fulton) on December 24, 1935, after meeting her at the University of Illinois. He also was a member of Sigma Pi - Phi Chapter at Illinois. They had three sons; James Jr., a journalist, non-fiction writer and playwright; Thomas, formerly Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for public affairs and the deputy spokesman for the State Department; and Richard, the publisher of the Vineyard Gazette, a newspaper on Martha's Vineyard.
In subsequent years, Reston served as associate editor of the Times from 1964 to 1968, executive editor from 1968 to 1969, and vice president from 1969 to 1974. He wrote a nationally syndicated column from 1974 until 1987, when he became a senior columnist. During the Nixon administration, he was on the master list of Nixon political opponents.
Reston retired from the Times in 1989.
Reston interviewed many of the world's leaders and wrote extensively about the leading events and issues of his time. He interviewed President John F. Kennedy immediately after the 1961 Vienna Summit with Nikita Khrushchev on the heels of the Bay of Pigs Invasion fiasco.
His poor, devout Presbyterian family migrated to the United States in 1920. He sailed with his mother and sister to New York as steerage passengers on board the steamship Mobile, and authorities inspected them at Ellis Island on September 28, 1920. After working briefly for the Springfield, Ohio, Daily News, he joined the Associated Press in 1934. He moved to the London bureau of the but returned in 1940. In 1942, he took leave of absence to establish an office of war information of United States in London. Rejoining in 1945, Reston was assigned to District of Columbia as national correspondent. In 1948, he was appointed diplomatic correspondent, followed by bureau chief and columnist in 1953.
Reston married his wife Sally (born Sarah Jane Fulton) on December 24, 1935, after meeting her at the University of Illinois. He also was a member of Sigma Pi - Phi Chapter at Illinois. They had three sons; James Jr., a journalist, non-fiction writer and playwright; Thomas, formerly Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for public affairs and the deputy spokesman for the State Department; and Richard, the publisher of the Vineyard Gazette, a newspaper on Martha's Vineyard.
In subsequent years, Reston served as associate editor of the Times from 1964 to 1968, executive editor from 1968 to 1969, and vice president from 1969 to 1974. He wrote a nationally syndicated column from 1974 until 1987, when he became a senior columnist. During the Nixon administration, he was on the master list of Nixon political opponents.
Reston retired from the Times in 1989.
Reston interviewed many of the world's leaders and wrote extensively about the leading events and issues of his time. He interviewed President John F. Kennedy immediately after the 1961 Vienna Summit with Nikita Khrushchev on the heels of the Bay of Pigs Invasion fiasco.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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August 18, 2023I am so glad that I was inspired to re-read this book after all these years. It is so relevant to what we are experiencing/going through in today's world. It is full of history and has given me so many new perspectives on today's events in comparison to those of the past. I loved the personal stories Mr. Reston shares and his honesty about himself as well as his feelings about those who shared his personal life as well as his professional one. This is a book well written and so easy to read for the very reason that it is written by one who spent his life as a journalist writing about people and events. Most recommended.
March 31, 2018
This memoir by one of the most respected journalists of his time goes back to the start of WWII and takes you up through the George H.W. Bush era. Most of it is pretty interesting, especially his opinions of each President that he covered.
The most interesting part of the book is to be found in the appendix, where Reston furnishes the private account of John McCloy (Assistant Secretary of War) of the meetings where the debate on using the atomic bomb(s) on Japan were debated. Interesting stuff.
The most interesting part of the book is to be found in the appendix, where Reston furnishes the private account of John McCloy (Assistant Secretary of War) of the meetings where the debate on using the atomic bomb(s) on Japan were debated. Interesting stuff.
August 19, 2008
It is amazing to read the reflections of someone who was present for so much American history, and Scotty Reston was one of those people. These are his memoirs from a life of reporting, mostly for the New York Times. It is not an easy read, but what resonates is how in the early 1990's (and before) he was writing about issues in America that still are present today. This is a well written, interesting look at American history, and his connections with many leading figures in the world provide excellent personal stories.
November 6, 2008
Interesting perspective on American politics and newspapering. From a man you can trust. Reagan really was a crap president.
August 31, 2014
one of the best books I've ever read.
January 11, 2012
My 5-star rating is more for the scope of Reston's career than for the quality of the writing--which is, of course, excellent. Much respect to a giant in the world of journalism.
June 9, 2013
Reston has a lot of very interesting points after having spent a career as a reporter. I found his rant on democracy interesting.
August 15, 2016
interesting if it's your cup of soup
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews