Zach’s Book Nook: “The Times” Review

In 1889, Oscar Wilde famously wrote that “life imitates art far more often than art imitates life.”  

In my eyes, “The Times: How the Newspaper of Record Survived Scandal, Scorn and the Transformation of Journalism” by Adam Nagourney, is art. Art of which I have seen replicated within my own real-life experience within journalism — mainly at The Hill News.  

Before I read “The Times,” I was skeptical of how someone who works for the subject of the book, “The New York Times,” could write a centrist history of the famous publication. After all, journalists tend to have egos, and far too often they tend to plant bias in their work — whether intentional or not.  

However, this concern was unfounded. Nagourney employs a pull-no-punches approach to chronicling his employer. He covers the history of “The New York Times” from the era of Publisher Arthur Ochs “Punch” Sulzberger starting in 1977. It continues through his son, Arthur Ochs Sulzburger Jr.’s tenure as publisher, which ended in 2017.  

If there is a mythical god in the world of journalism, it must be the paper of record, to which all other papers are compared. But the physical paper was not Nagourney’s most notable focal point. Instead, it came from his honest descriptions of the many characters behind it. All of which had unique, fully fleshed out chapters dedicated to their triumphs and many shortcomings.  

The first part of the book covers Abe Rosenthal — the paper’s controversial executive editor who took the newsroom throne in 1977. Rosenthal was known for his cutthroat style. Nagourney told all, not wavering on any details even as he works alongside his grandchildren.  

However, Nagourney did not work at The New York Times during Rosenthal’s era. In fact, Rosenthal was not even alive to provide comments. So how could he be written? Nagourney — throughout the entirety of the book — is a master researcher. He left no stone unturned — noting his persistent search of ex-Times employees’ attics and weeks-long interviews with former writers.  

He did his homework, and it showed. The book was filled with details. In some cases, as specific as the subject’s facial expressions during a scene that happened decades ago. 

Also notable was the chapter detailing The Times’ evolution from a strictly print publication to a digital media giant. The details — highlighted by a civil war between the digital and print newsrooms — paint it as a miracle that the news organization pulled through.  

“The Times: How the Newspaper of Record Survived Scandal, Scorn and the Transformation of Journalism” is a must-read for any fan of journalism, or history in general. Art does not always look the same — and in this case it looks like a 500-page book about the history of the world’s most notable publication.  

Newspapers are full of characters, often flawed, but ultimately lovable. The Times is no exception. But, flaws and all, at the end of the day, objective journalism revealed the truth, thanks to a Times reporter, Adam Nagourney.