On David Halberstam

I made my first excursion into David Halberstam's world when I was sixteen. A few years before, my aunt, who never went to college, but was the most well-read person I've ever met, had just finished The Best And The Brightest. It was a detailed account of 1960s American politics, and the mistakes made during our involvement in the Vietnam War. Halberstam had special insight. He covered the war for the New York Times.

A few years later, I had a chance to hear Halberstam in person. I was a student at the University of Arizona. His distinct speech pattern-- that low, slow, drawing out of words is something I always appreciated. It was his trademark. If I were in a room with the television on as background, and Halberstam could be heard-- I knew immediately it was him. I'd turn it up. For a 20-year old college kid (me) considering journalism as a career, Halberstam was an inspiration.

To sports fans, Halberstam is recently known as the author of The Summer Of '49, and The Teammates. My last contact with Halberstam was his account of Super Bowl III, written for Sports Illustrated.

For me, Halberstam wasn't a casual read-- I made time specifically for him. To read his books, you need it. With his death Monday, I will make more time-- to read more of his work. For a person with a love of history, politics, and sports-- I'd recommend it-- just like my aunt did.