Remembering James Reston Jr.: An Influential American Journalist and Author
The world of literature and journalism mourns the passing of James Reston Jr., an eclectic historian, and novelist, whose profound contributions to history and politics have left an indelible mark on society. Reston passed away at the age of 82 in his Chevy Chase, Maryland home, succumbing to pancreatic cancer. His remarkable journey, from prolific authorship to influencing pivotal historical moments, has left a lasting impact on both academia and popular culture.
Born on March 8, 1941, in Manhattan, Reston was the son of a renowned figure at The New York Times, known for his role as a columnist, Washington bureau chief, and executive editor. Despite his father’s notable legacy, Reston carved his own path, largely bypassing daily journalism to focus on historical nonfiction, novels, and stage adaptations of his books.
One of his most influential works, “Perfectly Clear: Nixon From Whittier to Watergate,” was published in 1973 amidst the unfolding Watergate scandal. In the book, Reston urged for President Nixon’s impeachment after the break-in at the Democratic headquarters in Washington and the ensuing White House cover-up. Little did he know that this work would lead him to a historic encounter that would shape his legacy.
Reston’s pivotal moment came when British television host David Frost secured exclusive rights to interview former President Richard M. Nixon after his resignation in 1974. Frost recruited Reston as a researcher, and together, they embarked on a groundbreaking journey that resulted in the momentous “Frost/Nixon” interviews. Reston’s extensive research and keen insights paved the way for Frost to extract a remorseful admission from Nixon regarding his role in the scandal. A staggering 45 million Americans watched as Nixon candidly stated, “I let the American people down, and I have to carry that burden with me the rest of my life.”
His book, “The Conviction of Richard Nixon: The Untold Story of the Frost/Nixon Interviews,” which chronicled the behind-the-scenes drama of the interviews, later became a play titled “Frost/Nixon” by Peter Morgan, eventually adapted into a film in 2008, with Sam Rockwell brilliantly portraying Reston.
Reston’s literary journey was a series of passionate obsessions, ranging from conflicts between Christianity and Islam to deeply personal experiences. In “Fragile Innocence: A Father’s Memoir of His Daughter’s Courageous Journey,” published in 2006, he shared the heart-wrenching story of his young daughter’s battle with a viral brain infection and her eventual lifesaving kidney transplant after eight long years of waiting.
“A Rift in the Earth: Art, Memory, and the Fight for a Vietnam War Memorial,” published in 2017, reflected Reston’s personal experiences as an Army intelligence officer and explored the contentious debate surrounding the Vietnam War Memorial—the first lost war in American history.
His books often delved into deeply personal stories of individuals facing great challenges. In “The Innocence of Joan Little” (1977), Reston wrote about a North Carolina inmate accused of murder after claiming self-defense against an attempted rape by her jailer. Similarly, “Our Father Who Art in Hell: The Life and Death of Jim Jones” (1981) delved into the tragic events of the Jonestown massacre in Guyana in 1978.
Not only a talented writer, but Reston also possessed a deep passion for space exploration, and in 1983, he was nominated by Newsweek, PBS, and the BBC to be the first writer to join a NASA space shuttle crew. Though he did not make the final cut, his fascination with space and exploration persisted.
Beyond his literary achievements, Reston was a devoted husband to Denise Brender Leary, whom he met while working in an antipoverty program in New York City. He is survived by their daughters, Maeve and Hillary Reston, their son, Devin, two brothers, Tom and Richard, and two grandchildren.
At the time of his passing, Reston was actively working on two posthumous books—a biography of the 13th-century Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and an exploration of an Episcopal cleric accused of heresy. These works, poised to be published posthumously, promise to add to Reston’s already remarkable literary legacy.
As we bid farewell to James Reston Jr., we remember him as a passionate and insightful historian and journalist, a prolific author, and a man who dedicated his life to exploring the depths of history, human experiences, and significant moments in time. His contributions will continue to inspire and captivate generations to come, ensuring that his legacy remains vibrant and influential in the world of literature and journalism.