Jimmy Breslin
Full Name and Common Aliases
Jimmy Breslin was an American journalist, author, and screenwriter whose full name is James Edward Breslin.
Birth and Death Dates
He was born on October 17, 1928, in Queens, New York City. Jimmy Breslin passed away on March 19, 2017.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Jimmy Breslin was a renowned American journalist, author, and screenwriter known for his gritty and insightful reporting style, often focusing on everyday people's lives and struggles during the tumultuous years of the 1960s to 1980s.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Queens, New York City, Jimmy Breslin developed a passion for writing at an early age. He was raised by his parents, who encouraged his love for literature and journalism. After graduating from Stuyvesant High School, he worked as a copyboy at the New York Herald Tribune before being drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II.
Major Accomplishments
Jimmy Breslin's remarkable career spanned over five decades, with numerous notable accomplishments:
He was one of the first journalists to cover the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the subsequent riots.
His reporting on the Son of Sam serial killer case in the late 1970s helped keep the public informed about the ongoing investigation.
Jimmy Breslin also wrote a series of articles exposing police corruption, which led to the resignation of several high-ranking officials.Notable Works or Actions
Some of his most notable works include:
"The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight," a 1968 novel that tells the story of an Italian-American gang in Brooklyn.
"World War I and World War II: A Reporter's Story," a memoir detailing his experiences as a war correspondent during both conflicts.Impact and Legacy
Jimmy Breslin's influence on journalism cannot be overstated. His fearless reporting style and ability to connect with everyday people helped shape the narrative of American history in the second half of the 20th century. Many journalists who followed in his footsteps have credited him as a mentor or inspiration.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Jimmy Breslin is widely quoted and remembered for several reasons:
His unflinching commitment to telling the stories that needed to be told, often at great personal risk.
His ability to humanize even the most complex and contentious issues through his writing.
The lasting impact of his work on American journalism and culture.
Quotes by Jimmy Breslin
Never use your own money. Steal a good idea and say it's your own. Do anything to get publicity. Remember that everybody can be bought.
The financial people, who lead such dreary lives, believe what they read and see on television.
You can get some work, some jobs that will bore you until you're dead. So you better look for something that's got a little tingle to it.
You get a little picture that reflects the whole. You can get readers interested in the life of one guy, and he can reflect the whole life around him. And it's a better picture than the politicians give you.
Some time ago, I made a basic decision about the way in which I was going to live the little of life available to me The idea was to place myself in the presence of only those people who give off the warm, friendly vibrations which soothe the coating on my nerves. Life never was long enough to provide time for enemies.
I'm the best person ever to have a column in this business. There's never been anybody in my league.
Politics, where fat, bald, disagreeable men, unable to be candidates themselves, teach a president how to act on a public stage.