Accolades

“Gerald Boyd was an outstanding journalist of the old school, who worked hard covering local government in St. Louis and national politics at the White House. He was a passionate spokesman for diversity in journalism, and his life story is an inspiration for all. He covered my campaigns and Barbara and I respected his work, and his friendship.”
—George H. W. Bush, 41st president of the United States

“Revealing, infuriating, heartbreaking, and occasionally incendiary . . . both a passionate cautionary tale and an incitement to excellence, fairness, and honesty, journalistic and otherwise.”
—Jill Nelson, author of Volunteer Slavery: My Authentic Negro Experience

“Unusually honest, sometimes harsh, always thoughtful . . . must reading for those who spent any of the last 30 years near newspapers and for those who care, as Boyd did, about larger issues of race and society.”
—Donald E. Graham, chairman of the Washington Post Company

“I knew Gerald Boyd as a fair boss, a fine man, and a serious journalist. His honest, deeply affecting, and revealing memoir has made me realize (to my great regret) how much of him I didn’t know.”
—Todd S. Purdum, national editor, Vanity Fair

“An inspiring and riveting tale.”
—Patrik Henry Bass, senior editor, Essence

“Boyd’s pain is just as obvious as his triumph. We are left with the belief that he gave more to the New York Times than she gave him, and that it is a better institution because of his presence.”
—Roland S. Martin, host, TV One Cable Network, and CNN contributor

“This piercing look at what it means to observe power, be power, and lose power is timely for us all.” —Farai Chideya, reporter and author of Kiss the Sky

“Boyd’s book [is] shaped by poverty, race, big stories, and personal foibles. It offers lessons on leading and shares his passion for reporting the news.”
—Karen Dunlap, President, Poynter Institute