I Must Say: Edwin Newman on En

A collection of the bestselling author's syndicated columns offers observations and judgments on word play, British language and custom, sports, Muzak, news reporting, U.S. foreign policy, and America's lifestyles

These entertaining and thoughtful syndicated columns by the former TV commentator were written between 1984 and 1987. Though Newman's range of interest is widefrom Third World starvation to smokeless tobacco and celebrity endorsements of productshis most effective pieces are those of modest scope: sales techniques of Hong Kong merchants, the rowdyism of British soccer fans, Sylvester Stallone, "who does his acting with his chest and arms." Known for his genteel understatement and wit, Newman approaches the diatribe level on only few subjects in this collection: rock and "background" music, and the influence of political polls. His "memory pieces" include an account of his 1975 interview with Emperor Hirohito and of runner Roger Bannister's four-minute-mile record in 1954. His sports enthusiasm later wanes, however, and in a separate piece he grumbles about the "tiresome and unattractive" qualities of "the tennis louts" and other top athletes today. In the final section, the author of Strictly Speaking and A Civil Tongue adds yet more succinct and often very funny complaints about the sloppiness with which Americans use their language.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Newman's earlier books, Strictly Speaking (1974) and A Civil Tongue (1976), somewhat typed him as a campaigner for good English. Reflecting his wider range of interestsfrom the media, sports, and travel to world affairs, national character, and music, this collection of over 150 newspaper columns shows him to be a campaigner against all stupidity and wrongheadedness. Newman stands for good taste and reason amid rampant folly, and he tries to sort out how people can behave as they doblithely creating illegitmate children, for instance, or wearing bizarre hairdos. Most pieces appear as first written, with an occasional "afterword" to bring readers up to date on a topic. A trenchant, humorous, and thought-provoking work for public libraries.William A. Donovan, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.