The New York Times Book Review, The New York Times
The New York Times Book Review, The New York Times
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The New York Times Book Review
125 Years of Literary History

Author: The New York Times, Tina Jordan, Noor Qasim

Narrator: Robert Petkoff, Tina Jordan, Gary Shteyngart, Jodi Picoult, Junot Diaz, Sloane Crosley, Jenna Wortham, Tayari Jones, Roxane Gay, Sarah Weinman, Jericho Brown, Dominic Hoffman

Unabridged: 13 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/02/2021

Synopsis

From the longest-running, most influential book review in America, here is its best, funniest, strangest, and most memorable coverage over the past 125 years.

Since its first issue on October 10, 1896, The New York Times Book Review has brought the world of ideas to the reading public. It is the publication where authors have been made, and where readers first encountered the classics that have enriched their lives.
 
Now the editors have curated the Book Review’s dynamic 125-year history, which is essentially the story of modern American letters. Brimming with remarkable reportage, this book collects interesting reviews, never-before-heard anecdotes about famous writers, and spicy letter exchanges. Here are the first takes on novels we now consider masterpieces, including a long-forgotten pan of Anne of Green Gables and a rave of Mrs. Dalloway, along with reviews and essays by Langston Hughes, Eudora Welty, James Baldwin, Nora Ephron, and more.
 
Listeners will discover how literary tastes have shifted through the years—and how the Book Review’s coverage has shaped so much of what we read today.

About The Author

Tina Jordan is the deputy editor of The New York Times Book Review. Before joining The Times, Tina was the longtime books editor at Entertainment Weekly, where she worked since the magazine's founding. Noor Qasim is a writer and editor. From 2020 to 2021, she served as the editing fellow of The New York Times Book Review. The New York Times is dedicated to helping people understand the world through on-the-ground, expert, and deeply reported independent journalism. Their mission is simple: They seek the truth and help people understand the world. This mission is rooted in their belief that great journalism has the power to make each reader's life richer and more fulfilling, and all of society stronger and more just. The Times has received 130 Pulitzer Prizes.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Kevin

“Life is worth living because there are books, and so let us open a tome with a happy thought, even if it were written by Schopenhauer.” ~Editor’s Note, NYT Book Review 1897 Editors Tina Jordan and Noor Qasim have crafted a 368 page, 600 lb. behemoth of reviews, interviews, editorials, letters, biog......more

Goodreads review by Michael

This is a coffee table book. It has big pages. It is printed on heavy stock paper and it is heavy. It has full page pictures spread our over two pages. It has serious graphic design. It is an attractive book. It is more of an anthology than a history. The book is arranged chronologically. Each of th......more

Goodreads review by Jim

A really well-curated collection of reviews, essays, letters to the editor, ads, photos, and more from 125 years of the New York Times Book Review. Some of my favorite stuff: - a letter from an angry reader who is tired of the Book Review’s worship of Rudyard Kipling (and the two responses to the let......more

Goodreads review by Rama

An appraisal of NY Times book reviews We get a view of book reviews of the earliest years in the history of NY Times and its coverage in shaping the literature. The reviews encourage debate and exchange of ideas. An editor's note from 1897 points out, "Life is worth living because there are books.”......more

Quotes

“A fascinating selection of reviews, letters, interviews, essays, announcements, book lists, bits of gossip and op-ed pieces published in the supplement since its first appearance on Oct. 10, 1896 . . . An ebullient celebration of literature.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“[A] meticulously crafted celebration of the written word . . . Each chapter is full of entertaining reviews and book covers, plus delightful photos. Literature lovers are in for a real treat.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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