Man in Profile

Joseph Mitchell is my favorite writer, and this biography does him justice ten times over. It's a thorough account of his life, sourced from his family and closest friends, as well as his own journals. Mitchell was known for shining a light on people who others often overlooked. He portrayed New York City in the 1930s-1950s as a vibrant and diverse place through the eyes of its most interesting inhabitants, and there is always a welcome undercurrent of his own thoughts running through his stories as well. This balance is what made him the world's finest literary journalist. Kunkel's book kept me completely invested in his life and is a great tribute to a man who deserves to be venerated.