Nieman 80: Journalism That Makes a Difference
How are great journalists made? Often, it’s pieces of great journalism that help form them, influencing their lives or careers in an indelible way. To celebrate the Nieman Foundation for Journalism’s 80th anniversary in 2018, we asked Nieman Fellows to share works of journalism that in some way left a significant mark on them, their work or their beat, their country, or their culture. The result is what Nieman curator Ann Marie Lipinski calls “an accidental curriculum that has shaped generations of journalists.”
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More Nieman Fellows on exemplary journalism that influenced them[/sidebar]
“Up Front” is a collection of Bill Mauldin’s World War II cartoons featuring Willie and Joe, a pair of dogged infantrymen, who are tired and dirty all the time. Bill was a friend of mine, and when UPI assigned me to cover the Vietnam War in 1965, I called him for advice. “Get a couple of bottles of good wine and come over here.” I did, and we promptly drank the wine. “What the hell do I do,” I pleaded with him. “Take care of your feet,” came the reply. “That’s it?” I slurred. “Yep, that’s it.” It was the best advice I ever had.
“Up Front” is a wonderful collection of drawings showing the truth of being an infantryman. It is done with love, caring, and great accuracy. Forget the generals, colonels, and brass. The infantryman is the basic unit of failed diplomacy and is tough, smart, and adaptive, and willing to give up his life to save his friends. Bill holds a brilliant mirror to these men. He showed us truth. Not only about World War II, but all wars and all infantrymen.
[sidebar head="Up Front" Deck="By Bill Mauldin
Henry Holt and Company, Inc., 1945" style="full"]
Cartoons
[/sidebar]
More Nieman Fellows on exemplary journalism that influenced them[/sidebar]
“Up Front” is a collection of Bill Mauldin’s World War II cartoons featuring Willie and Joe, a pair of dogged infantrymen, who are tired and dirty all the time. Bill was a friend of mine, and when UPI assigned me to cover the Vietnam War in 1965, I called him for advice. “Get a couple of bottles of good wine and come over here.” I did, and we promptly drank the wine. “What the hell do I do,” I pleaded with him. “Take care of your feet,” came the reply. “That’s it?” I slurred. “Yep, that’s it.” It was the best advice I ever had.
“Up Front” is a wonderful collection of drawings showing the truth of being an infantryman. It is done with love, caring, and great accuracy. Forget the generals, colonels, and brass. The infantryman is the basic unit of failed diplomacy and is tough, smart, and adaptive, and willing to give up his life to save his friends. Bill holds a brilliant mirror to these men. He showed us truth. Not only about World War II, but all wars and all infantrymen.
[sidebar head="Up Front" Deck="By Bill Mauldin
Henry Holt and Company, Inc., 1945" style="full"]
Cartoons
[/sidebar]
