Jack Newfield

Jack Newfield (1938-2004) was an American journalist, columnist and author known for his investigative reporting and political commentary. His work frequently focused on corruption, social justice issues, and New York City politics. As a founding editor of The Village Voice, Newfield helped pioneer New Vision Journalism, which combined traditional reporting with personal perspective and social mission. His most notable works include "Robert Kennedy: A Memoir" (1969) and "City for Sale: Ed Koch and the Betrayal of New York" (1988). Throughout his career, Newfield wrote for publications including the New York Daily News, New York Post, and The Nation. His reporting style was marked by detailed research and a willingness to challenge powerful figures, leading to numerous exposés of political corruption and organized crime in New York. Newfield received multiple journalism awards including the George Polk Award and was inducted into the New York Journalism Hall of Fame. His influence on investigative journalism and political writing continues to be recognized in contemporary media discourse.

Readers value Newfield's insider perspective and detailed reporting, particularly in "Robert Kennedy: A Memoir." Multiple reviews note his ability to capture Kennedy's personality through firsthand observations and conversations. One Amazon reviewer wrote: "Newfield gives us RFK as a real person, not just a political figure." Readers appreciate: - Direct, unvarnished writing style - Depth of research in corruption investigations - Personal anecdotes that illuminate larger stories - Clear explanations of complex political relationships Common criticisms: - Some find his political bias too obvious - Writing can be dense with details - Older books lack context for modern readers - Personal opinions sometimes overshadow reporting Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "Robert Kennedy: A Memoir" - 4.1/5 (127 ratings) "City for Sale" - 3.9/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: "Robert Kennedy: A Memoir" - 4.3/5 (31 reviews) "City for Sale" - 4.0/5 (12 reviews)

RFK: A Memoir (2003) A personal account of Robert Kennedy's political career and final campaign, written by Newfield who covered Kennedy as a journalist.

Somebody's Gotta Tell It: The Upbeat Memoir of a Working-Class Journalist (2002) An autobiography detailing Newfield's career in journalism and his experiences covering major political and social events.

The Full Rudy: The Man, the Myth, the Mania (2002) An examination of Rudy Giuliani's political career and tenure as mayor of New York City.

The Game of Life: Why Sports Matter (1995) An analysis of sports culture in America and its impact on society, featuring interviews with athletes and industry figures.

City for Sale: Ed Koch and the Betrayal of New York (1988) A critical investigation of Ed Koch's mayoralty and its effect on New York City's political landscape.

The Permanent Government: Who Really Rules New York? (1981) An exploration of power structures and decision-making processes in New York City politics.

A Prophetic Minority (1966) A study of the New Left movement and student activism in 1960s America.

Robert Kennedy: A Memoir (1969) An earlier version of Newfield's personal account of Robert Kennedy, published shortly after the senator's assassination.

Jimmy Breslin covered New York City politics, organized crime, and social issues as a newspaper columnist and author, investigating corruption and championing working-class interests. Like Newfield, he combined investigative reporting with advocacy journalism and focused heavily on power structures in New York.

Pete Hamill wrote extensively about New York City politics and culture while maintaining a strong voice for social justice and reform. His work as both a newspaper columnist and author paralleled Newfield's focus on exposing political machines and urban inequality.

Murray Kempton produced political commentary and investigative work that exposed corruption in government and labor unions during the mid-20th century. His writing style combined deep reporting with moral conviction about social issues, similar to Newfield's approach.

Wayne Barrett specialized in investigating New York political figures and real estate developers through intensive research and document analysis. His work at the Village Voice overlapped with Newfield's tenure and shared the same commitment to exposing abuses of power.

Mike Royko wrote columns that challenged political machines and corruption while advocating for working-class citizens in Chicago. His combination of investigative reporting and pointed political commentary mirrors Newfield's methodology and focus on urban power dynamics.