DEADLINE EVERY MINUTE: The Story of the U.P.

by Joe Alex Morris ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 5, 1957

If this account of the half century since 1907 and of the coverage United Press gave those years lived up to the compressed vitality suggested by its title, the forecast for this book might be brighter. Here are behind the scenes glimpses of indomitable reporters and their sometime scoops. The rivalry between United Press and its older rival, Associated Press, enforced ingenuity for the men on both beats. The book is chiefly serious, with the stories behind great headlines; the Lawrence textile strike, Huey Long's assassination, the Ruth Snyder murder trial, great battles of both World Wars and the latter day sinking of the Andrea Doria. There are flashes of humor, too: H. Allen Smith broke the censorship barrier with his coverage of a nudist colony, a story he wrote sitting naked on a rock near Highland, N.Y. And who could cavil at the devotion of the Pittsburgh editor who cabled his confreres, ""Badly need 1st edition headline. Get me a good fire""? Despite these highlights the fact remains that this is old news: the reader feels that he is re-reading musty newspapers.

Pub Date: Nov. 5, 1957

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1957

Categories: NONFICTION