Wednesday, August 5, 2020

The Pete Hamill Post, Redux

I was saddened to learn of Pete Hamill's death this morning and would like to share a post originally published here on January 8, 2010. 
 
The Pete Hamill Post
(AP photo/Bebeto Matthews)

When Pete Hamill's name appeared on the speaker list for the Rosamond Gifford Lecture Series, it wasn't immediately familiar. After a quick search, I remembered hearing about Snow in August,  but didn't know much about his career in journalism. A few months later, two of his books were on my 2009 list of favorites, his lecture was fantastic, and I am officially a fan!

After years of thinking, my book club finally took the plunge and eight of us purchased season tickets for the Gifford series. The group had been struggling with selections, and the lectures provided built-in reading material while infusing much-needed enthusiasm. Since previous authors focused on their most recent books, we chose North River for our December meeting.


After just a few pages, I loved it! Set in New York City during the Depression, it features mobsters and political corruption, but mostly revolves around Dr. James Delaney, a GP wounded in WWI and deserted by his both his wife and daughter, who one day finds his two year old grandson, dropped at his doorstep. Delaney, still struggling with war wounds and abandonment, hires Rose, a Sicilian illegal immigrant, as housekeeper and surrogate mother to Carlito, and a make-shift family is formed.

"Hamill has crafted a beautiful novel, rich in New York City detail and ambiance, that showcases the power of human goodness and how love, in its many forms, can prevail in an unfair world." (from Publisher's Weekly)

North River  has it all - beautiful writing, wonderful characters, and a setting rich in detail. Check out the few sentences I highlighted in this Teaser Tuesdays post.

After finishing North River, I wanted to read another of Hamill's books immediately. My choice was an audio version of the nonfiction Downtown: My Manhattan, read by the author.


Hamill is an excellent narrator, and Downtown: My Manhattan  ended up being my favorite nonfiction book of the year. It's a fascinating look at the history of Manhattan with bits of Hamill's life woven in. It covers everything from baseball to vaudeville, and architecture to politics. Hamill's love of the city is obvious throughout. While listening to him describe Trinity Church and its surroundings, I was wishing he would record narrated walking tours of Manhattan!

Finally, it was the evening of the lecture. As luck would have it, the weather was simply miserable and half the group didn't make it, but those that did were enthralled for 90 minutes. Hamill talked more about his life and experiences than the books he's written. He talked of his love for libraries ("temples of wisdom") and books, and the power of words. At 75, he's rereading many of his favorite books, and finds them even richer with the perspective gained from a "life lived".

As Hamill talked about print journalism, I was amazed to learn that 70% of the cost of a newspaper is in the delivery - the paper and ink, trucks and gas. He believes in the future of journalism, but sees a new model of delivery evolving.

We loved hearing about Hamill's childhood. We were taken with his humor, as well as his humility, and decided he'd be an asset to any dinner party! Since it's doubtful I'll ever find myself on the same guest list, reading more of his books will have to do.

The lecture series takes a short hiatus during the winter months (what writer would come to Syracuse in February?) and resumes in March with Richard Russo.

24 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to read the news of Pete's death here this morning. I can't say that I've read everything the man wrote, but I can say that I enjoyed everything of his that I have read. He was a very talented man.

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    1. Sam - Talented, indeed, and equally as charming and engaging. His talk back in 2010 is still one of my most memorable literary events.

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  2. Beautiful tribute to Peter Hamill....I will put his books on my list.
    Love anything NYC....and New England. Makes my e-pat heart grow fonder. :)

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    1. Nancy - I enjoyed both North River and Tabloid City, but loved Downtown: My Manhattan. Since 2010, two of our daughters had summer internships in NYC and both currently live there. Might appreciate Downtown: My Manhattan even more now that I know the city better.

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    2. "Downtown" sounds like a great audio book for my lockdown morning walks! I just posted a new blogpost...
      #Summer lockdown...goes on and on and #
      #Summer lockdown....not over yet!

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    3. Nancy - It would be an ideal morning walk book!

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  3. What a lovely tribute, JoAnn. I haven't read any of Hamill's books, but I'm intrigued by North River. How wonderful that you were able to hear him speak. He sounds like a lovely man.

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    1. Les - I don't remember much about North River now, other than the fact that I enjoyed it very much. His talk and Q&A session were wonderful... we all still reminisce about that evening. A lovely man, for sure!

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  4. Such a nice post to Pete Hamill. I've read a few of his books and liked them a lot. Certainly well respected in the field by many.

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    1. Diane - We all enjoyed listening to his talk. If I ever get to walk around NYC again, I'd love to listen to Downtown: My Manhattan one more time.

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  5. I have only read one of his books: A Drinking Life. His writing was exquisite. I think my mom was a fan. Loved your story of going to his lecture.

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    1. Judy - A Drinking Life is the next one of his books on my list. Glad my library has a digital copy!

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  6. JoAnn,
    How wonderful to post about Pete Hamill! I was so saddened to learn of his passing. Such a tug at the heart. I have read a number of his books, and some were quite nostalgic for me. I don't have the time at the moment, but would like to post more. SIGH. So much there to love in Pete Hamill's writing and life.

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    1. Judith - I've enjoyed many of his books and would love to read the rest of them. To this day, I still consider him one of the most engaging, delightful authors I've met... too bad we never got invited to the same dinner party, lol!

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  7. This is such a nice tribute to remember an author who's works you've enjoyed.

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  8. Thanks for sharing this post from the past. It’s sad how I sometimes discover a favorite writer when they pass. Both North River and Downtown: My Manhattan sounds terrific.

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    1. JaneGS - I've had that experience, too, unfortunately. Looking forward to the day when I can walk lower Manhattan again and listen to him read Downtown.

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  9. Wow what a terrific author lecture you attended ... and how touching a post. I too was sad to hear of Hamill's passing. He was a giant in print journalism ... and I was in that field. I'll add a book of his to my TBR this year. thx for sharing.

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    1. Oh, Susan, I hope you get a chance to read his books. I plan to reach for his memoir, A Drinking Life, next but you might enjoy his novel Tabloid City.

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  10. I read where he had died. Would seem I have missed him in my reading, although familiar with him. Will add t my lists.

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    1. Julie - He is well worth a read... such a lovely man!

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  11. I so love this post. I haven't read anything by him, but you have encouraged me to do so- esp the nonfiction NYC book.

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    1. Nan - Thank you! Downtown: My Manhattan is well worth the read. I absolutely loved it and plan to revisit the next time I can get to the city.

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