The Fun of It

May 7, 2001
Since its inception, witty journalistic pieces of under 1,000 words ("talk stories," as they are referred to by staff) have appeared in the New Yorker's "Talk of the Town" column. Ross (Here but Not Here), a contributor for 45 years, has collected the best of these essays, spanning the entire 75-year history of the magazine. Until the 1990s, stories were never signed, so it is a pleasant revelation to discover how many of the most engrossing were penned by well-known and respected writers. Under the editorship of Howard Ross, the focus was—and is now again—on New York City. There is a humorous profile by E.B. White of a scholar at the Brooklyn Public Library who sent noted authors unsolicited critiques of their works (1930). Among other gems are James Thurber's impression of artist Diego Rivera (1931) and author Gertrude Stein (1934) when they were in Manhattan, he to prepare for an exhibit of his work at MoMA and she to autograph books at Brentano's. It wasn't until WWII, when male reporters became scarce, that women, including Andy Logan, were hired for the column. Logan interviewed Tennessee Williams (1945), and Lillian Ross herself spoke with a 25-year-old Norman Mailer (1948). Although there are many enjoyable articles from more recent decades by gifted writers like Susan Orlean, John McPhee and Julian Barnes, it is the earlier selections that appeared under the editorial stewardship of Howard Ross and his successor William Shawn that evoke the deepest nostalgic pleasure.

May 1, 2001
Over 74 years ago, the legendary Harold Ross introduced "The Talk of the Town" to readers of The New Yorker, and this pithy and droll column on life in New York remains an acclaimed favorite of the magazine's readers. Ross (Here but Not Here: My Life with William Shawn and The New Yorker, LJ 6/15/98), who began writing for The New Yorker in the Fifties and who regularly contributes to the section, here gathers a scintillating selection of stories from "Talk" in chronologically arranged sections that begin with the 1920s and end in 2000. Many of the early contributions were unsigned, but through archival research Ross ferrets out and reveals the authors of many of those initial pieces. Included in this lively collection are pieces by writers some of whom became New Yorker regulars such as Robert Benchley, James Thurber, E.B. White, A.J. Liebling, John Updike, Garrison Keillor, Ann Beattie, Bill McKibben, Roger Angell, Steve Martin, and Susan Orlean. Stories range from Thurber's hilarious take on Gertrude Stein at a book signing, Liebling on Albert Camus, Ross on Glenn Gould, Hendrik Hertzberg on Elvis and David Cassidy, and McKibben on the opening of a Bojangles chicken stand in Manhattan. These energetic sketches capture brilliantly the moments and memories that comprise the daily life of the city. Libraries that already own other Modern Library collections of New Yorker stories Wonderful Town (LJ 2/1/00), Life Stories (LJ 2/1/00), and Nothing but You (LJ 2/1/97) will certainly want to purchase this volume, and it is otherwise recommended for most collections. Henry L. Carrigan Jr., Lancaster, PA

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2001
The Talk of the Town, that spread of pithy pieces that launches each issue of the" New "Yorker, was considered "the soul of the magazine" by its second editor, William Shawn. Ross, who has been writing Talk pieces since the late 1940s, agrees and seeks to ensure the feature's immortality in this delectable collection of the best of nine decades. Ross describes writing Talk stories as "pure fun," which is certainly the reader's experience: these are little gems of urbanity, literary finesse, and social acumen. The city itself is vivid--Gimbel's was selling ponies in 1947; bicycles were all the rage in 1970--but it is the parade of exceptional people that gives the most delight. Here are thumbnail sketches of Jack Johnson, Albert Camus, Frank Lloyd Wright, Marshall McLuhan, and Diana Vreeland, to name just a few of the personalities captured by E. B. White, James Thurber, A. J. Liebling, Jane Kramer, Veronica Geng, Maeve Brennan, and so many other writers of distinction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)