Reading for My Life: Writings, 1958-2008
Best overview of Leonard's five decades of criticism, cultural writing, and literary essays.
Author guide
John Leonard Books in Order
John Leonard (1939–2008) was an American literary and cultural critic, novelist, essayist, and television critic. He edited The New York Times Book Review, served as literary co-editor of The Nation, and wrote widely for newspapers and magazines. His books include four novels, collections of literary and cultural criticism, memoiristic columns, and the posthumous retrospective Reading for My Life.
literary fictionliterary criticismcultural criticismtelevision criticismessaysmemoir
Catalog record updated .
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
This Pen for Hire
Strong entry point to his early literary, cultural, and television criticism.
The Naked Martini
His debut novel and earliest standalone book.
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Novels (5)
- The Naked Martini
novel · 1964
- Wyke Regis
novel · 1966
- Black Conceit
novel · 1973
- Reading for My Life: Writings, 1958-2008
collected-nonfiction · 2013
Nonfiction (2)
- Private Lives in the Imperial City
memoir · 1979
- Smoke and Mirrors: Violence, Television, and Other American Cultures
cultural-criticism · 1997
Essays and speeches (4)
- This Pen for Hire
essay-collection · 1973
- The Last Innocent White Man in America: And Other Writings
essay-collection · 1993
- Lonesome Rangers: Homeless Minds, Promised Lands, Fugitive Cultures
essay-collection · 2002
Frequently asked questions about John Leonard
Who was John Leonard?
John Leonard (1939–2008) was an American literary, cultural, and television critic, editor, novelist, and essayist. He grew up in Southern California and became one of the most prominent American critics of his generation.
What influenced John Leonard’s approach to criticism?
Leonard’s criticism was shaped by his interest in social context, politics, and history, as well as by his work in the antiwar and civil-rights movements. He resisted treating literature as separate from popular culture and public life.
Source: cjr.org (opens in a new tab)
What were John Leonard’s most important editorial positions?
Leonard became editor of The New York Times Book Review in the early 1970s, where he developed a notably provocative editorial style. He later served as literary co-editor of The Nation with his wife, Sue Leonard, from 1995 to 1998.
Sources: thenation.com (opens in a new tab)thenation.com (opens in a new tab)
Did John Leonard receive any major honors?
He received a lifetime achievement award from the National Book Critics Circle. The organization also created the John Leonard Award for first books in his honor, recognizing his support for emerging writers.
Sources: washingtonpost.com (opens in a new tab)bookcritics.org (opens in a new tab)
Why is John Leonard still remembered?
Leonard is remembered for championing writers such as Toni Morrison and Gabriel García Márquez and for bringing energetic, wide-ranging attention to books, film, television, and popular culture. His influence also continues through the award bearing his name.
Sources: washingtonpost.com (opens in a new tab)bookcritics.org (opens in a new tab)