The Harry Golden Years
In
1958, when Harry Golden published his book Only in America he
was at the top of one of the most unusual success stories that
America had ever seen. And, it happened each month!
Harry's
monthly newspaper The Carolina Israelite consisted of
16 pages, and each complete with adverts and articles. And,
every single word was his own. In fact, the whole thing was a solo
achievement. He was his paper. What he wrote came all from himself
and his past, and, month in and month out he would put it together by
writing about just about everything!
And
his past had a thread. When he was young in New York there was
nothing he wouldn't do. He was a porter, salesman, editor,
journalist, and, many other things, as well. Perfect for getting to
know and understand people. And, it was there, with the energy of
youth, that he spent most of his spare time with a book in his hands.
He loved reading. And, what better for writing than reading? And,
so it was, that after moving to Carolina he founded The
Carolina Israelite. A paper, which despite its name, spoke
to every man, woman and child in America.
And,
his paper was a success.
Harry Golden understood people. Many folk, whilst reading his
articles (which, by-the-way, he called “editorials”) said that
they were like reading letters from a friend. And, when the time
came round for the paper - time came round for the family. Reading
the The
Carolina Israelite
together was the highlight
of the month for many American families. There was something in it
for everyone.
But,
of course, sooner or later, everyone has to give in to the years that
they’ve saved, and, in 1968, Harry wrote the last of his editorials
and put The Carolina Israelite to bed for the very last
time. And there has never been anything like it since. How could
there be? As Ralph Emerson wrote, “Whoso would be a man -
must be a nonconformist”. And a nonconformist was Harry in
one!
Vocabulary
advert
- Werbung
consisted
(to consist/consisted/consisted) – besteht
aus
despite
– trotz
founded
– (to found/founded/founded)- gründen
Highlight
– Höhepunkt
month
in and month out – Monat für Monat
nonconformist
- Nonkonformist
success
- Erfolg
to
bed – (to put a paper to bed) – bereit stellen für drücken
whoso
– wer immer
