I’ve been reading Witness to a Century by George Seldes (at the time of the writing 97–he lived to be 104!). It’s an amazing and inspirational book. I was able to finally locate a copy at Half-Price. George Seldes is an amazing journalist. He led early campaigns against press censorship by government and business interests. He exposed the dangers of tobacco in the 1940’s and the anti-labor, illegal strikebreaking activities of the American Legion. In the 1930’s the American Legion broke more strikes than the national guard! It’s also no coincidence that the American Legion was created and financed by prominent businessmen. The best thing about reading George Seldes is that he inspires a feeling of optimism and a desire to get out and change things yourself.
- Snips from George Seldes’ Victory over Fascism (New York, 1943)
- Tell the Truth and Run: George Seldes and the American Press a documentary by Rick Goldsmith
- Is the Entire Press Corrupt? by George Seldes in EXTRA by Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting
- Correspondence between George Seldes and Emma Goldman
- George Seldes: Muckraker, Journalism Critic, Anti-fascist
- Chapters 1 & 2 from the book Facts and Fascism by George Seldes