A.J. Liebling

A.J. Liebling (1904-1963) was an American journalist and press critic who wrote primarily for The New Yorker magazine from 1935 until his death. His work spanned multiple subjects including boxing, food, warfare, and media criticism, with his collected works becoming influential examples of mid-20th century journalism. Liebling's most enduring contributions came through his media criticism, particularly his collection "The Press," which contained his famous observation that "freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one." His war reporting from Europe during World War II earned significant acclaim, as did his series of articles about Louisiana politics focusing on Governor Earl Long. His writing about food and boxing demonstrated his versatility as a journalist, with works like "Between Meals" exploring French cuisine and culture, while "The Sweet Science" delved deep into the world of professional boxing. These works helped establish him as a writer who could bring scholarly attention and literary merit to subjects often considered lowbrow. Liebling received multiple American Society of Newspaper Editors awards and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995. The New Yorker magazine created the A.J. Liebling Counter-Conference in his honor, which became an annual gathering of journalists to discuss media criticism and press issues.

Readers praise Liebling's sharp wit and detailed observations, particularly in his food and boxing writing. Many note his ability to capture the essence of both fancy French restaurants and gritty boxing gyms with equal skill. On Goodreads, "Between Meals" receives frequent mentions for its vivid descriptions of Paris dining culture, with one reader calling it "a time machine to 1950s French cuisine." Boxing fans highlight "The Sweet Science" for its technical knowledge and colorful portraits of fighters. A recurring comment is Liebling's talent for making boxing accessible to non-fans through his storytelling. Common criticisms include his dense writing style and dated references that can be hard to follow for modern readers. Some find his tone pretentious, especially in food writing. Multiple reviews note that his journalism pieces require significant historical context to fully appreciate. Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: "The Sweet Science" (4.2/5 from 1,200+ ratings) - "Between Meals" (4.1/5 from 800+ ratings) - Amazon: Most titles average 4.3-4.5/5 stars - LibraryThing: Overall author rating 4.0/5

The Road Back to Paris (1944) War correspondence chronicling the fall of France, the Battle of Britain, and American war preparation.

The Wayward Pressman (1947) Collection of press criticism essays originally published in The New Yorker examining American newspaper practices.

The Sweet Science (1956) Essays about boxing and boxers from the late 1940s and early 1950s, featuring profiles of fighters and fight coverage.

Between Meals: An Appetite for Paris (1959) Memoirs of eating and living in Paris during the 1920s, combined with observations about French cuisine and culture.

The Press (1961) Analysis of American journalism focusing on newspaper monopolies, declining competition, and changes in reporting standards.

The Earl of Louisiana (1961) Political portrait of Louisiana Governor Earl Long, examining his final year in office and mental breakdown.

The Telephone Booth Indian (1942) Portraits of small-time promoters, hustlers, and gamblers operating in New York City during the Depression.

Back Where I Came From (1938) Collection of New York City sketches about local characters and city life in the 1930s.

Chicago: The Second City (1952) Series of essays examining Chicago's culture, politics, and characters during the post-war period.

The Honest Rainmaker (1953) Character study of Colonel John R. Stingo and other New York personalities from the 1930s.

Joseph Mitchell chronicled New York characters and culture for The New Yorker during the same era as Liebling. His long-form profiles of eccentric personalities and detailed observations of city life share Liebling's journalistic style and wit.

Meyer Berger wrote about New York City's characters and neighborhoods for The New York Times from the 1930s to 1950s. Like Liebling, he combined precise reporting with narrative storytelling to capture urban life and personalities.

Red Smith wrote sports journalism with an emphasis on boxing, similar to Liebling's boxing coverage. His writing style featured the same mix of technical knowledge and character-driven storytelling that characterized Liebling's sports writing.

M.F.K. Fisher wrote about food, culture, and travel with a focus on French cuisine and society. Her observations of food culture and social customs parallel Liebling's writings about French society and gastronomy.

Gay Talese developed detailed character profiles and scene-by-scene reconstructions for The New York Times and Esquire. His immersive reporting style and focus on overlooked subjects reflects Liebling's approach to journalism.