RIP: Studs Terkel (1912-2008)
The literary world lost another great today. All the major media outlets are reporting that Studs Terkel died at the age of 96. He’s a Pulitzer Prize winning author, credited with making the oral history into a reputable literary genre. He was also a famed radio show host in my own hometown of Chicago! Here’s a brief excerpt from a this NYT article:
The elfin, amiable Mr. Terkel was a gifted and seemingly tireless interviewer who elicited provocative insights and colorful, detailed personal histories from a broad mix of people. "The thing I’m able to do, I guess, is break down walls," he once told an interviewer. "If they think you’re listening, they’ll talk. It’s more of a conversation than an interview."
My sympathies go out to his family, friends and his fans all over the world. He’s a true great who will be missed deeply.
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