Murray Kempton

Murray Kempton (1917-1997) was an American journalist and essayist known for his incisive political commentary and distinctive writing style that blended elements of literary prose with journalistic reporting. His work appeared in publications including Newsday, The New York Review of Books, and The New York Post. Kempton won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1985 for his "witty and insightful columns on public issues." His major works include "Part of Our Time: Some Ruins and Monuments of the Thirties" (1955) and "Rebellions, Perversities, and Main Events" (1994), both of which examined American political movements and cultural figures. Throughout his career spanning five decades, Kempton was particularly noted for his coverage of civil rights issues, labor movements, and New York City politics. His writing was characterized by elegant prose and moral complexity, often sympathetically portraying both the powerful and powerless while maintaining a critical perspective. His influence extended beyond journalism into literary circles, where he was respected for bringing a novelist's sensibility to newspaper columns and political reporting. Kempton's work continues to be studied as an example of literary journalism that combined factual reporting with sophisticated cultural analysis.

Readers praise Kempton's precision with language and ability to find humanity in political movements. Reviews frequently note his talent for crafting memorable character portraits of both major figures and everyday people caught in historical events. Readers appreciate: - Complex moral perspectives without clear heroes/villains - Literary quality of his journalism - Deep research and historical context - Balanced treatment of opposing viewpoints Common criticisms: - Dense writing style that requires careful reading - Some find his prose overly ornate - Historical references can be difficult to follow without background knowledge Review data is limited, with few ratings on major platforms: - Goodreads: "Part of Our Time" averages 4.1/5 stars (17 ratings) - Amazon: "Rebellions, Perversities and Main Events" 4.5/5 stars (6 ratings) One Goodreads reviewer noted: "His portraits bring forgotten figures of the 1930s back to vivid life." An Amazon reader described his style as "challenging but rewarding - like reading Henry James doing political journalism."

Part of Our Time: Some Ruins and Monuments of the Thirties (1955) A detailed examination of various radical movements and figures from 1930s America, based on personal interviews and historical research.

America Comes of Middle Age: Columns 1950-1962 (1963) A collection of newspaper columns covering political and social issues during the post-war period and early Cold War era.

The Briar Patch: The Trial of the Panther 21 (1973) A journalistic account of the trial of Black Panther members in New York, documenting both the legal proceedings and broader social context.

Rebellions, Perversities, and Main Events (1994) A compilation of essays spanning several decades, focusing on political figures, social movements, and cultural events in American history.

Socrates in Manhattan (1987) A collection of political journalism and social commentary drawn from Kempton's work at the New York Post and Newsday.

Politics of Mercy: Selected Essays 1981-1988 (1995) Essays examining various political and social issues from the Reagan era, published posthumously.

Jimmy Breslin wrote about New York City politics and social issues in a similar investigative style to Kempton. His columns for Newsday and the New York Daily News focused on corruption and power structures through the lens of street-level reporting.

I.F. Stone published an independent newsletter exposing government misconduct and analyzing political events from 1953-1971. Like Kempton, he combined deep research with clear writing to challenge established power.

Pete Hamill chronicled New York City's transformations through decades of newspaper columns and books. His work shared Kempton's focus on class dynamics and institutional power in urban life.

Jack Newfield investigated political machines and social movements in New York through his Village Voice columns and books. His reporting style matched Kempton's interest in grassroots perspectives and institutional critique.

Joseph Mitchell wrote character-driven pieces about New York City's overlooked people and places for The New Yorker. His detailed portraits of urban life parallel Kempton's attention to the human elements behind political stories.