One of David Halberstam's books changed my life. And due to the IRS and an unexpected phone call, I was able to say thanks.
In 1981 I read his book, "The Powers That Be." Halberstam's 1979 book examined the power of the press by describing the history of CBS, Time Inc., The New York Times, The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times.
But this is not a book review. To make a long story short, Halberstam's 771-page book inspired me to go to graduate school.
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One afternoon in the late 1980s, the phone rang at my desk at Poynter and I picked it up. A deep voice on the other end said, "This is David Halberstam and I wonder if you could help me."
He was looking for a documentary the Institute made in 1979. The
film showed Halberstam writing at his home in Nantucket, and he needed
a copy of the documentary to prove to the IRS that he worked there, as
well as at his apartment in New York.
No problem, I said, but
before you go, I have to tell you how much your book, "The Powers That
Be," inspired me when I was in college.
Halberstam let out a loud laugh on the other side of the phone, explained what a miserable time he was having with the IRS and their tax questions, and finally how my story about the book made his day.
Last night, April 23, 2007, I checked my e-mail after finishing dinner with my wife and three sons (ages 7, 3 and 1).
Poynter Online's editor, Bill Mitchell, sent out an e-mail saying that David Halberstam had been killed in a car accident.
For some reason, I got up from the computer and went to our bookshelf and looked for my old copy of "The Powers That Be."
There it was. A little dusty and faded after 25 years, but as I sat on the floor reading the old book, I thought about how much my life had changed since I bought it in 1981.
My one-year-old son loves to pull books off the shelf, rip the pages and try to eat them. He spotted me on the floor, and he looked hungry for a good book.
As he started to crawl toward me, I quickly closed the book and put "The Powers That Be" back on the shelf.
During the coming days, David Halberstam will be remembered as one of the great journalists of the 20th century. Journalists will report about his Pulitzer and courageous work during the Vietnam War. They will list the more than 20 books he produced over his career.
But last night, as I watched my son trying to eat "The Powers That Be," I realized that Halberstam's books and articles have touched thousands of people in very important, personal ways that, for the most part, will not find their way into the man's public legacy.
It was just a book, but it changed my life. I'm glad I had a chance to say thanks.
