The Journalist and the Murderer is a nonfiction book by Janet Malcolm that explores the complex relationship between journalists and their subjects. Originally published in 1990, the book remains a provocative and influential work in the field of journalism.

Janet Malcolm is an American writer and journalist who has written extensively on a variety of topics, including literature, photography, and psychoanalysis. She is perhaps best known for her work in The New Yorker, where she has been a staff writer since 1963. In addition to The Journalist and the Murderer, Malcolm has written several other books, including The Silent Woman, which explores the life of Sylvia Plath, and Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession.

In The Journalist and the Murderer, one of the best books on journalism, Malcolm examines the case of Joe McGinniss, a journalist who wrote a book about convicted murderer Jeffrey MacDonald. MacDonald had been convicted of killing his wife and two young daughters, and McGinniss had been granted unprecedented access to MacDonald as he researched his book. However, after the book was published, MacDonald sued McGinniss for breach of contract and fraud, claiming that McGinniss had promised to write a sympathetic account of his case but had instead portrayed him as guilty.

Malcolm uses the MacDonald-McGinniss case as a lens through which to examine the often fraught relationship between journalists and their subjects. She argues that journalists are fundamentally deceivers who use their subjects for their own purposes, and that their subjects are often complicit in this deception. Through a series of interviews with both McGinniss and MacDonald, as well as other journalists and writers, Malcolm explores the ethical implications of this relationship and raises important questions about the nature of journalism itself.

Author: Janet Malcolm

Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/Journalist-Murderer-Janet-Malcolm/dp/0679731830/

Ratings: 4.2 out of 5 stars (from 428 reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #239,353 in Books

#203 in Journalism Writing Reference (Books)

#679 in Communication & Media Studies

#1,215 in Murder & Mayhem True Accounts

The Elements of Journalism is a renowned book authored by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel. First published in 2001, the book has since become a classic text for students, professionals, and anyone interested in the principles and practices of journalism. The book is now in its third edition, revised and updated to reflect the changing landscape of journalism in the digital age.

Bill Kovach is a former Washington bureau chief of The New York Times and a former curator of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. Tom Rosenstiel is a veteran journalist and the Executive Director of the American Press Institute. Together, they have produced a comprehensive and accessible guide to the core principles of journalism.

The Elements of Journalism begins with a simple and powerful statement: "Journalism's first obligation is to the truth." The book goes on to explore what that obligation means in practice, examining the role of journalists as watchdogs, servants of the public, and impartial observers. The authors delve into the ethical and practical challenges that journalists face, from balancing the demands of accuracy and speed to navigating the complex relationship between the press and the government.

Throughout the book, Kovach and Rosenstiel emphasize the importance of journalistic standards and values, such as verification, independence, and transparency. They also address the impact of technology on journalism, offering insights into how social media, data journalism, and other digital tools are changing the way news is gathered, reported, and consumed.

The Elements of Journalism is a must-read for anyone who cares about the role of the press in a democratic society. With its clear and concise writing, compelling examples, and insightful analysis, the book offers a roadmap for journalists and citizens alike to navigate the complex and ever-changing world of news.

Author: Tom Rosenstiel , Bill Kovach

Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/Elements-Journalism-Revised-Updated-3rd-ebook/dp/B00DAD25I4/

Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars (from 328 reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #574,639 in Kindle Store

#197 in Journalism Writing Reference (Kindle Store)

#207 in Education Research (Kindle Store)

#254 in Words & Language Reference

The New New Journalism is a fascinating book that explores the evolution of nonfiction writing in America. Edited by Robert Boynton, the book is a compilation of conversations with some of the most prominent and influential writers of the genre. Through their discussions, readers gain insight into the techniques and styles that have shaped modern nonfiction writing.

Robert Boynton is a journalist, writer, and editor who has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, and other major publications. He is also the director of the Literary Reportage Program at New York University. Boynton brings his expertise to this book, providing a valuable overview of the field and offering a platform for some of its most notable practitioners.

Among the best books on journalism, The New New Journalism covers a range of topics related to nonfiction writing, from the importance of research to the role of the writer in the story. The book features interviews with some of the most innovative and celebrated writers of the genre, including Susan Orlean, Gay Talese, and Tom Wolfe. These writers discuss their approach to writing, the challenges they face, and the impact their work has had on the field of journalism.

The book's introduction sets the stage for the conversations that follow, tracing the history of nonfiction writing in America and highlighting some of its most notable practitioners. The introduction also provides an overview of the book's contents, giving readers a sense of what to expect as they delve into the interviews. Overall, The New New Journalism is an essential read for anyone interested in the craft of nonfiction writing and the evolution of American journalism.

Author: Robert S. Boynton

Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/New-Journalism-Conversations-Americas-Nonfiction/dp/140003356X

Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars (from 75 reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #494,420 in Books

#514 in Journalism Writing Reference (Books)

#651 in Journalist Biographies

#1,862 in Fiction Writing Reference (Books)

The Ethical Journalist, authored by Gene Foreman, is a comprehensive guide for journalists and aspiring journalists to understand the importance of ethical reporting in the current digital age. Gene Foreman is a well-respected journalist and educator who has worked for nearly three decades at the Philadelphia Inquirer. Foreman has won numerous awards for his reporting and served as a Pulitzer Prize juror four times.

Among the best books on journalism, The Ethical Journalist offers a practical approach to ethical decision-making in journalism. The book provides a historical background of ethical journalism and how it has evolved over the years. The author delves into key ethical issues in journalism, such as privacy, conflicts of interest, and bias. Foreman also provides case studies and examples to help journalists understand how to make ethical decisions in real-life situations.

In the current digital age, ethical issues have become more complicated than ever before. The Ethical Journalist addresses these issues, including the impact of social media and digital technology on journalism. The book emphasizes the importance of accuracy, transparency, and accountability in journalism.

The Ethical Journalist is an invaluable resource for journalists, educators, and students of journalism. The book provides guidance on how to make ethical decisions in journalism, and it also offers insights into the role of journalism in society. The book is accessible and engaging, making it an ideal resource for anyone interested in the future of journalism and the ethics that underpin it.

Author: Gene Foreman

Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Journalist-Responsible-Decisions-Digital/dp/1119031737/

Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 stars (from 42 reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #230,784 in Books

#4 in Journalism

#167 in Business Ethics (Books)

#193 in Journalism Writing Reference (Books)

The Best American Magazine Writing 2020 is a collection of the year's most compelling and thought-provoking long-form journalism from American magazines. Edited by guest editor, Ann Patchett, the book brings together a diverse range of topics, writing styles, and voices, showcasing the richness and diversity of American magazine writing.

Ann Patchett is a bestselling author and essayist, who has won numerous awards, including the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize for Fiction. In her introduction, Patchett emphasizes the importance of long-form journalism in today's media landscape, particularly at a time when social media and soundbites often dominate the news cycle. She notes that while magazines may have lost some of their former glory, they remain a vital and vibrant platform for in-depth reporting, analysis, and storytelling.

The book features 26 essays, articles, and features selected from a wide range of publications, including The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Vanity Fair, and The New York Times Magazine. The topics covered are equally diverse, ranging from politics and social justice to science, culture, and sports. Among the highlights are Emily Bazelon's gripping account of a wrongful conviction and exoneration in The New York Times Magazine, Rachel Aviv's moving portrait of a family grappling with mental illness in The New Yorker, and Jia Tolentino's searing examination of the paradoxes and contradictions of contemporary feminism in The New Yorker.

Overall, The Best American Magazine Writing 2020 is a must-read for anyone who loves immersive, thought-provoking writing and wants to gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues shaping our world today. It is one of the best books on journalism.

Author: Sid Holt

Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/Best-American-Magazine-Writing-2020/dp/0231198019/

Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 stars (from 26 reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #1,180,294 in Books

#1,597 in Journalism Writing Reference (Books)

#1,733 in American Literature Criticism

#4,659 in Essays (Books)