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Pete Hamill The Quintessential Journalist 1935-2020

My literary hero is Pete Hamill

by John Esposito

His storied career as an acclaimed journalist, iconic newspaperman, editor of both the New York Post and the New York Daily News, best selling novelist, superb essayist, respected educator, lecturer, and screenwriter leaves behind a rich and enduring legacy that the journalism world can only hope to emulate. For many, he was the living embodiment of New York City who chronicled the life of New Yorkers more than anyone of his generation.

Pete Hamill served as my major influence and inspiration in pursuing a writing career. I loved his newspaper columns, novels, nonfiction, memoirs, and countless magazine essays.

He never forgot his Brooklyn roots and wrote powerful pieces that identified with working-class men and women including the suffering and downtrodden in our society.

 

Pete Hamill The Quintessential Journalist 1935-2020

Mr. Hamill’s writings are filled with honesty, real nostalgia, not sentimental drivel, and never syrupy sweet. He was proud of the writing craft and served it with great honor. He was immensely proficient as a hard-hitting tabloid columnist reporting on international and national events, local city politics, America’s urban riots of the 1960s, murders, strikes, the 1966 civil rights march, the Vietnam war, conflicts in Nicaragua, Lebanon and Northern Ireland, and the September 11, 2001 terrorists attack at the World Trade Center, as much as he was an equally skilled generalist in writing and conversing about the likes of Jackie Robinson and his beloved Brooklyn Dodgers, New York City history, Diego Rivera and painting, jazz, Ernest Hemingway, Jackie Gleason, Madonna and Howard Cosell, a love of newspapers, newsrooms, typewriters and deadlines, Milton Caniff and comic-book heroes, famous women in his life: Jacqueline Onassis, Shirley MacLaine, and Linda Ronstadt, talking boxing while mentoring Jose Torres, the education of Mike Tyson in prison, Greek coffee shops, the Great American Songbook, Paul Sann, editor extraordinaire, the indispensability of public libraries, drinking at the Lion’s Head, Billie Holiday and the blues, life on the Brooklyn stoop and playing stickball on streets empty of cars, the artistry of Bob Dylan and John Lennon, living in Mexico, Ireland and Rome, friendship with Robert Kennedy, the Knicks, sobriety, the art and cultural treasures to be found in museums, and the voice and tenacity of Frank Sinatra.

Pete Hamill The Quintessential Journalist 1935-2020
Pete Hamill

I had the good fortune of knowing Pete Hamill since 2001.

Our association resulted in five published interviews and book reviews for Downtown, My Manhattan, a memoir (2004), a required reading in certain New York City public schools; the best-selling novels, North River (2007) and Tabloid City (2011); the short story compilation, The Christmas Kid, and Other Brooklyn Stories (2012), and the national best-selling book essay, Why Sinatra Matters (1998 and re-released 2015). His masterpiece novel, Forever (2003), has taken its place among the great works of historical fiction, with New York City as the centerpiece. This tome is destined to stand alongside his most famous best-sellers, A Drinking Life (1994) and Snow in August (1997).

At the time of his passing on August 5, 2020, Pete Hamill, age 85, was writing a memoir about growing up in his native Brooklyn, where he had recently returned to live after achieving fame and notoriety in Manhattan and becoming a legendary journalist. It was to be titled, “(Returning to) The Old Country.” Mr. Hamill’s affinity for New York City, his proud Irish-American heritage, and proclivity to be the best possible newspaperman one could be, were only surpassed by the love and devotion he had for his wonderful and supportive wife, Fukiko Aoki Hamill, and the large, close-knit family that adored him.

Pete Hamill will be remembered best by those who knew him as a regular guy, a kind-hearted gentleman, who was always patient and giving of his time to young writers. I have never known anyone who disliked the man.

His politics differed from mine at times but that never mattered to me.

It was all about the writing, friendship, and respect. Mr. Hamill had a long list of friends and admirers. He was someone with whom you felt an immediate connection, whether meeting him for the first time on the Lower Manhattan streets or from reading his books and columns. In many respects, he personified the everyman, but we all knew he was so much more. When final days came calling for certain celebrated individuals who received high marks in various fields of renown, their greatness was sometimes embellished and exaggerated. That is unquestionably not the case when considering the merits of Pete Hamill. He is truly an American gem, whose contributions as an outstanding journalist and an admirable man will always be cherished.

In tribute to Pete Hamill, the name of my website, “Piecework Journals,” www.PieceworkJournals.com was borrowed liberally from the book title of his excellent work, Piecework (1996), a collection of brilliant essays. Thank you. Pete.

Byline: John Esposito is a freelance journalist based in New York and New Jersey. His work has appeared in various newspapers and magazines including USA Today, The New York Times, The Star-Ledger, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Greenwich Time, Stamford Advocate, The Record, Downtown-NYC, New Jersey Newsroom, The Irish Echo, UNICO, and Rosebud. Mr. Esposito maintains a website at www.PieceworkJournals.com

 

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Featured

Downtown Q&A: Mariana Atencio

MARIANA ATENCIO Peabody, Investigative Reporters and Editors, and Gracie Award-winning journalist who covers domestic and international issues for MSNBC and NBC News. Part of the NBC News team that helped break the coverage of the migrant caravan and the family separation crisis that ensued.

1. Name three women that inspire you, and tell us why.

My number one is my sister Graciela. After a hit-and-run accident in NYC, the doctors told her she may never walk again. Her life came crashing down and ours with hers. But she fought tooth and nail to recover. Against all odds, she did it. Today she puts me to shame at the gym every time. She is my partner in crime and my biggest hero, always. 

María Elena Salinas, the longest running female network anchor in the United States called the “Voice of Hispanic America” by The New York Times, dedicated her life to reporting on stories of national importance especially for Latinos. She’s a journalist with a capital “J” that also paved the way for new generations, while emphasizing how important it is to always stay close to the ones you love. 

And I can’t forget Shakira. She definitely impacted me when she crossed over into English, and I was in my last year of high school. But she’s more than a singer or dancer. She’s a producer and entrepreneur. She embraces her roots as an Arab-Latina and always, always, always gives back: be it with her nonprofit Pies Descalzos or as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

2. What has been the secret to your success? 

Of all the amazing things that happened since I received an email about my scholarship to Columbia University that eventually kicked off my career and would lead me to Univision, ABC and MSNBC, the common denominator is what I call the “yes attitude.” Although I often felt overwhelmed by the tasks in front of me, I slowly learned that the “yes attitude” meant showing up and doing what needed to be done, however imperfectly, with authenticity. Used well, the “yes attitude” can take you to places you never thought you’d go. 

3. If you were going to pass on one piece of advice to a young woman, what would it be?

Say Yes. Say yes even when you’re afraid or have no idea how to move forward. You never know how one split-second decision can unlock the door of opportunity. 

4. In the fight for equality, what area do you think needs the most attention?

Research shows that companies with more women in executive leadership and gender diversity make more money and are more successful. And yet, among the world’s leading companies, roughly only 10% of senior executives are women, according to Weber Schandwick’s Gender Forward Pioneer Index. In a significant share, 37 % have all-male leadership. Additionally, women in the workplace earn roughly half the income of men, especially when you take into account time off for family or childcare. Although the contribution of women to the workplace is quantifiably better, we continue to be paid less and even penalized for it.  And unless, we can create more diversity, we won’t be able to break this cycle. 

5. What are you most proud of in your career?

The thing that really makes me incandescent with joy is every time a young person either sends me a message through social media or comes up to me at an event and tells me that they were inspired to become a storyteller as a result of a story I did or of my work. When I see  high school students go off to study journalism and want to also shed light on the stories that deserve to be told, it is the most humbling and career-defining moment for me. 

6. Where do you get your confidence?

There are people who come into your life and give you air, support, love, and strength to face anything that comes your way. For me, that’s Mirna Stella Couto, one of the most successful executive producers at Univision. She turns everything around with her magic touch. Years ago, I asked her—with a handwritten note—to be my mentor, and she’s shown me that magic happens when women lift each other up. It’s like that famous saying, “behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back.” Together, there’s nothing we can’t do.

7. What makes a woman beautiful?

That’s easy: CONFIDENCE.  

8. What gives you joy? 

It’s about the little things; the rituals that keep you going. For me, it’s my power breakfast: Ezekiel toast, peanut butter, banana, honey or dancing. And if I can combine both—it’s a win!

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Business Featured

Downtown Q&A: Alex Polier

ALEX POLIER is the founder and president of DNA, a strategic marketing, public relations, event production, and branding agency focusing on human-centric design. She was formerly a journalist with the Associated Press, Newsweek, and Condé Nast Traveler, among others.

1.    Name three women that inspire you, and tell us why. It’s so hard to pick only three. The world is filled with amazing women right now. But if I had to choose… 

I am inspired by  Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. I was a reporter in Africa and was with her in 2004 in Kenya when she found out she won. She was chosen in 1960 as part of the Kennedy Airlift, a program that brought 300 Kenyans to study in the States. Wangari returned to Kenya and started the Greenbelt Movement which fought for environmental conservation and women’s rights. She tied herself to a tree in Uhuru Park in the 80s topless. Unheard of in Africa! And illegal. A real trailblazer.

Joanna Coles, author, editor-in-chief, mother, wife, and fashion icon. She is the one woman in journalism who has climbed the ladder to the top on merit, with respect and grace. She has always been a role model and mentor to me, and she is very supportive of young women, which can be a rarity. When I wrote my cover story investigating my sex scandal with John Kerry during the 2004 election, she let me move in with her for 3 months. Talk about “above and beyond.” But we got our story! 

Agnes Gund, who I’ve never met, but hope to. She started the Art for Justice Fund with the sale of her Lichtenstein for $100 million and is using that money towards racial justice and prison reform. It is so important in our time to have a white woman of her stature standing up for fairness and putting her money where her mouth is. Justice reform is my next passion project. The thought of people convicted for crimes they haven’t committed, or serving longer sentences because of the color of their skin feels like the ultimate betrayal of human to human. 

2.     What is the secret to your success? I think as a young journalist, my fearless curiosity. As a mother, my endless energy. As the president of a strategic public relations firm, probably my passion for my clients.  “From warlords to architects.” I often joke about the similarities, but I admire all of my clients and want to support their important contributions to society. Architects are true innovators, the unique combination of maker and intellectual. As an idealistic young reporter, I wanted to save the world. Now as a grown up, I want to help build a more sustainable future. The world is heading towards extinction; we are running the earth into the ground. (Spoiler alert) Politicians aren’t going to save it, but maybe architects and urban planners can. I believe we all have an obligation to try. 

3. If you were going to pass on one piece of advice to a young woman, what would it be? You have to work hard, really hard, to rise to the top. Run the extra errand, don’t leave work before your boss, and don’t get a 3-hour haircut in the middle of the workday (I did that at my first job! I can’t believe they didn’t fire me!) Work ethic is key. That doesn’t mean you have to be a work-a-holic, eventually you have to find balance, but err on the side of workaholic. 

4. In the fight for equality, what area do you think needs the most attention? The fight to protect women’s reproductive health. If women don’t have ownership over their own bodies, we have no power at all. Birth control, education, free will. These are our human rights, and we all need to fight to protect them.  

5. What are you most proud of in your career? Launching my own company. It’s much easier to work for someone else, but endlessly rewarding to do it on your own terms. My sons will grow up in a world where mom is the boss. Priceless. 

6. Where do you get your confidence? Oh god, who knows. I am extremely overconfident, though. I’ve always had unusually good luck. Some people say I live under a blessed star. I think I’ve just been drinking my own kool-aid for too long. But what I would say to young women is to be confident. Be bold. Believe in yourself and others will as well.

7. What makes a woman beautiful? Confidence, intelligence, and a sense of humor. At least that’s what I look for in a man? 

8. What gives you joy? Traveling. I have such wanderlust. I need to keep feeding my brain, changing my perspective, and experiencing new cultures. I just got back from Sweden, next month it’s Germany, Italy, and Canada, and this summer: China. My careers have always enabled me to travel. I firmly believe in creating your own joy.