Hardy/Friedland

By: Greg Donahue

Narrated by: Greg Donahue

Length: 3 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

A lonely chalet at the summit of a snow-capped peak was the last place you would expect to find David Hardy. As an intrepid political reporter for the Daily News, the New Jersey native spent most of his time cornering officials in the halls and backrooms of the state’s government buildings or poring over the endless handwritten notes that covered his cluttered newsroom desk. In fact, the flight to Switzerland was one of the first times that Hardy had ever been on a plane. 

But in March of 1986, a cassette tape landed on Hardy’s desk that changed everything. The voice on the recording belonged to a dead man, an allegedly corrupt state senator from New Jersey named David Friedland, who had downed a cocktail of barbiturates and alcohol before a scuba diving outing in the Bahamas. According to initial reports, Friedland never resurfaced from the dive, but federal investigators believed otherwise. They were convinced the brash politician had faked his own death to avoid prosecution for accepting kickbacks. To Hardy’s amazement, the tape confirmed their suspicions. “I am alive and in fear for my life,” Friedland began, his anxiety cutting through the scratchy analog recording.

Hardy’s reporting from the trip earned awards, accolades, and a Pulitzer nomination for investigative reporting, but it wasn’t just the scoop of a lifetime. It was the chance to cement an immutable journalistic legacy. That’s because, at the same time he was traveling in secret halfway around the world, Hardy was also suing his employer for racial discrimination. The Daily News - the same paper that had nominated him for journalism’s top prize - refused to settle and Hardy, along with three co-plaintiffs, wouldn’t back down.

Hardy/Friedland tells the story of David Hardy’s journalistic legacy and David Friedland’s brazen escape from justice through the eyes of the relentless reporter. One part globetrotting journalist chasing the scoop of a lifetime, and one part tense courtroom drama, Hardy/Friedland shines a light on a pioneering reporter and the largely forgotten legacy of a lawsuit that changed newsrooms across the country. Indeed, the landmark case marked the first time that editorial employees took a newsroom discrimination suit to trial. As the journalist Causewell Vaughn once said, “Every time a person of color breaks through that glass ceiling in journalism, they have David Hardy to thank.”

©2021 Greg Donahue (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

Incredible story

Captivating historical story with current relevance to today's black lives matter movement. Looking forward to Greg's next book.

Could have been good

Yet another white-man-bad indoctrination by Audible. Was actually a good story about a good reporter; but Audible had to make it all about race instead.

Hardy/Friedland is a Tour de Force

Donahue’s incredible eye for often overlooked topics and his ability to weave a compelling narrative of New Jersey corruption and heroic journalism makes this work an astounding experience and a tour de force! This writer will undoubtedly continue to make big ripples connecting journalism and judicial history to today.

Impressive Listen

The idealist in me found myself identifying with Hardy and even Friedman. It reminds me of how hard it is to “fight the good fight.” That can be sorrowful. Nevertheless, what would the majority of us do without those who do fight for what is right and true? The naivety in me sometimes got lost in the machinations of government and power.

In some ways I wished this were in written form because I found it difficult to distinguish some of the excerpts of tapes that were played.

Revealing and entertaining

A monumental but forgotten duo come to vivid life in this cat-and-mouse story of journalism,
civil rights, greed, corruption and sometimes comedic exploits.

History placed in excellent perspective

It took me in from the beginning to the end. Learning this historical facts about one of the country's most popular news company is not shocking. yet... Seeing it from inside perspective is rewarding.

Good overall

Well done except for the recordings of live statements. Even though it does help verify the accuracy of the book, they are very jarring and difficult to understand.

Loved it

Beautifully written, this story is inspiring, yet let’s us know the fight is not over. Loved it.

suspenful & unsuspecting

Little stories that you don't hear about I'm sure Hardy is the reason why why black reporters are where they are today.

Thank you!

Greg, I so appreciate this! Though I was young when a lot of this happened I remember my dad talking to me about this case. Hearing is voice definitely made me cry. Thank you again for documenting this historic event. Now this history will never be forgotten!