A Good American Family by Davd Maraniss

In the last few weeks we have heard a good deal about The Statue of Liberty from sources like NPR, The Nation, Fox News, or The Los Angeles Times, for example. Her image also graces the cover of a recent book, A GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY by David Maraniss, a Pulitzer Prize Winner. In his newest non-fiction work, Maraniss tells his own father’s story from the 1950s and the Red Scare.  In 1952, Elliott Maraniss, a WWII veteran, was named an active member of the Communist Party of the United States of America and subpoenaed to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee. When testifying, he invoked the Fifth Amendment, but still lost his newspaper job and spent several years looking for meaningful employment. The author says, “I emerged with a clearer appreciation of the imperfections of the American story -- and with a better understanding of my father, our family, and its secrets.” This is a fascinating look at a tumultuous time in American politics and media --- the HUAC was chaired by a member of the Ku Klux Klan who cited testimony from Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson. Also mentioned are names like Louella Parsons, Arthur Miller and George W. Crockett, Jr., the African American civil liberties lawyer.  This text contains notes, an index, maps, and several black and white photos.  A GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY received starred reviews from Library Journal and Publishers Weekly. It is a timely work -- reflecting articles in today’s New York Times about targeting journalists who investigate the White House and about immigrants coming to the United States where that famous statue still provides inspiration. 

Storm Lake by Art Cullen

I picked up STORM LAKE by Art Cullen in part because of its subtitle: “a chronicle of change, resilience, and hope from a heartland newspaper,” and I continued reading because Art Cullen is such a terrific storyteller.  After all, he won the Pulitzer Prize in 2017 for Editorial Writing about taking on corporate agribusiness for polluting the state's water and soil.  In STORM LAKE he describes his decision to join his brother in starting a local Iowa paper.  Almost immediately, I was picturing him trying to persuade his wife that this was a good career decision for their family of two young children. I also wanted to continue reading in order to learn more in response to questions like: What is happening “on the ground” in Iowa? How do you make a difference in your community? What impact does local journalism have and how does it relate to the “American Dream,” especially for immigrants trying to assimilate?

I started doing some quick research and found the statistics about the loss of local newspapers to be truly astounding.  Academics, national and international publications have been lamenting the change and noting the potential impacts on polarization, democracy, health care and investigative reporting.   

Here are just a few examples with links to additional studies and data:

Nov. 19, 2018: “Political polarization increases after local newspapers close” (Journalist’s Resource)

June 22, 2018: “Civic engagement declines when local newspapers shut down” (Journalist’s Resource)

June 5, 2018: “Fading local press raises fears for city democracy” (by subscription at Financial Times)

April 11, 2018: “The Crisis in Journalism has become a Crisis of Democracy” (Washington Post)

Plus, the University of North Carolina, in conjunction with The Knight Foundation, has compiled a comprehensive database and report on The Expanding News Desert which looks at newspaper closings since 2004 and who is filling the void.  

Interested? Plan to pick up STORM LAKE which will be on our shelves soon (or read a short excerpt here). This title should have appeal for faculty and students from a variety of areas and disciplines (Journalism and Senior Writing classes, Integrated Global Studies School, US History, American Studies, Civics and Junior Theme). Cullen’s STORM LAKE received starred reviews from Booklist and Kirkus.