Avid Reader

A Life

By: Robert Gottlieb

Narrated by: Robert Gottlieb

A spirited and revealing memoir by the most celebrated editor of his time

After editing The Columbia Review, staging plays at Cambridge, and a stint in the greeting-card department of Macy's, Robert Gottlieb stumbled into a job at Simon and Schuster. By the time he left to run Alfred A. Knopf a dozen years later, he was the editor in chief, having discovered and edited Catch-22 and The American Way of Death, among other bestsellers. At Knopf, Gottlieb edited an astonishing list of authors, including Toni Morrison, John Cheever, Doris Lessing, John le Carré, Michael Crichton, Lauren Bacall, Katharine Graham, Robert Caro, Nora Ephron, and Bill Clinton--not to mention Bruno Bettelheim and Miss Piggy. In Avid Reader, Gottlieb writes with wit and candor about succeeding William Shawn as the editor of The New Yorker, and the challenges and satisfactions of running America's preeminent magazine. Sixty years after joining Simon and Schuster, Gottlieb is still at it--editing, anthologizing, and, to his surprise, writing.

But this account of a life founded upon reading is about more than the arc of a singular career--one that also includes a lifelong involvement with the world of dance. It's about transcendent friendships and collaborations, "elective affinities" and family, psychoanalysis and Bakelite purses, the alchemical relationship between writer and editor, the glory days of publishing, and--always--the sheer exhilaration of work.


Robert Gottlieb photographed by Jill Krementz at his desk in his office at Knopf on September 26, 1972; all rights reserved.

No anecdotes, too much encomium

A great editor who knew so many great writers and interesting people, but rather than delight us with anecdotes, he goes on and on about how charming they were. This won't do. a fine and delightful, a writer of a dull memoir.

What a Joy

Enjoyed every morsel. What a life. Thank you for writing this. Can't wait to read many of the titles.

Lover of life

Gottlieb has open the door to his life as creative literary legend. Make time for the book and you will receive insights in publishing and literature that will open your mind to what is possible when you live life true to interests and passions.

A true memoir

I came to the realization that all memoirs or autobiographies should be audible, or at least have an audible version, so we can hear the earnestness and the heart beat of the author, without which I might not have appreciated this one so much.

AVID READER

Dedicated to process over produce, this man, who surprisingly finds himself to become a writer, after being an editor, catches the whole buzz. He met so many people who stimulated his life and shares it generously, like you are as important as any of whom he writes. So fine to encounter such a casual person with such strict inner discipline about a well-edited book. He also loves his writing subjects so has the joy of watching his pen lead him. A life of good fortune shared.

Author’s. Humility.

Would have liked names repeated on Audible/ . If distracted for a second and miss name —. I am clueless on who s he talking about. I do not have capability of rewinding. Hands busy while ‘reading’.

Book addiction

Where does Avid Reader rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have listened to so many wonderful books, but this is the story of a boy/man/person
who inhales books from an early age

What was one of the most memorable moments of Avid Reader?

Reading War and Peace in 14 hours

Which scene was your favorite?

Playing with a yoyo while standing outside his building after being ordered outside to play as a child

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, but can't

Any additional comments?

This is the sort of book for people who devour books

Should’ve taken his own advice

There are some gems in here. But then one has to truly ponder why this great editor did not take his own advice. One obvious example is boring lists of names. I’m sure he would have x-ed them out in anyone else’s book. But somehow he tolerated them in his own book. Lots of name dropping. Encyclopedic over concise. And he has the hubris to think he can voice the book better than an actor. Doubtful. Should have left it to the voicing pros.

Intriguing

Intriguing memoir about publishing, editing, and writing books and magazine from one who did it. Very compelling.

Akin to a conversation with a witty friend.

Would you consider the audio edition of Avid Reader to be better than the print version?

I loved the fact the author was doing the reading. It's like having a delicious conversation with a very witty, interesting friend. Mr. Gottlieb is a superb narrator.
I have gone back to the book and re-reading certain favorite passages. It is that good.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Avid Reader?

His narration of his early years is very entertaining, but some of the best passages are his descriptions of how he managed his authors. Especially enjoyed Heller, LeCarre, Bacall, Tuchman, Caro. It is a fascinating look at the publishing business. He led a life any lover of reading would find ideal.

Any additional comments?

One of the best narrated books in Audible. Enjoyed it very much.