The most interesting takeaway from Monday’s Atlantic interview with President Trump is the way he muses wonderingly about elite targets caving under pressure.
I aspire to emulate the below more than just about anything. I'm only 63 so while I perhaps have the facts and figures I don't quite have the gravitas.
"Apparently, there was some old guy last night who practically leapt across the table at a friend of mine and pounded the hell out of him with facts and figures!”
Bravo, and to your old man. Watching the various parties bow down and collapse is one of the most dispiriting things I have seen in a long, dispiriting time.
I’m sure it was Obama’s remarks and the wave of liberal condescension directed at him at that 2011 dinner that fired up Trump and led to his run in 2016. Sir Harry would be disgusted at large wealthy law firms and media tycoons caving to Trump just to get out of the line of fire. We visited Durham University and the Palatine Centre last August, wondering if there was any kind of exhibit associated with Harold Evans’s career, and learned about the investigative reporting fellowship.
Tina, you’re one of my favorite writers and I’ve been enjoying your SubStack missives just as much as I have your books. Keep telling it like it is out there.
Tina dear-- just the other day while searching for something at the PBS site I marveled at two things: 1. the fact it still exists, 2: the discovery of a wonderful unedited interview you gave about Richard Avedon (December 1994), in which you read from Mr. Avedon's faxes to you! I do hope they make it into a book.
In your interview, you spoke of Avedon's passionate approach to everything he did (passionate being another word, perhaps, for manic.) I think you're the only editor other than Diana Vreeland who could have had such a powerful relationship with him.
There's something incredibly beautiful when one person can encourage the greatness of another-- it's an ability few ever practice, but you have made a life out of it. And the work is the proof. Avedon's breathless faxes to you are the proof. Those are love letters. Love for life, shared by two visionaries who can never have enough.
Here's an excerpt from your fax reading:
"Tina, dear, will do JASPER JOHNS immediately. The BALANCHINE layout is exactly the prototype. I’ll also do the GIACOMETTI before Wednesday, and I’m thrilled to do DIANA TRILLING.
Could TALK OF THE TOWN ever have a journalistic piece in it? Attached is what I did the night Kennedy was assassinated. And then there's theatre, young people, writers, musicians and politics. This is all so glorious.
Tina, dear, I’ve got a little idea about EUSTACE TILLEY.
P.S. From my pantheon of alcoholic wits, I’ve always wanted to photograph PETER O'TOOLE. Any interest?"
Disputatious such a good word. I think Hitchens, C, listed "disputation" as his hobby in Who's Who. This is first rate and see you next week for the rebel yell.
So thrilled you are coming. BTW there is a House of Lords reception the eve before 530 to 7 om as American embassy off the agenda for obvious reasons. So come if you can. I am sure we sent you an invite but if not received will ensure you get T
Tina, you and Sir Harry were destined for greatness from the moment you met! I love your stories about him and how courage was his trademark, just like you! 💕
Thank you, Tina, for a literary end to my day. The news is awful, but I appreciate the way you have packaged it.
Thanks, Katherine. I do feel the title of Fresh Hell was aptly chosen! T
I aspire to emulate the below more than just about anything. I'm only 63 so while I perhaps have the facts and figures I don't quite have the gravitas.
"Apparently, there was some old guy last night who practically leapt across the table at a friend of mine and pounded the hell out of him with facts and figures!”
Yep. You need another 15 years before you can leap across tables and no give a damn! T
Bravo, and to your old man. Watching the various parties bow down and collapse is one of the most dispiriting things I have seen in a long, dispiriting time.
Thanks. I just miss being able to rant with him ! T
Your clear-eyed view and direct writing is a breath of fresh air in a world full of fear, panic and chaos. Thank you.
Thanks so much. Keep slogging on and hope something good happens soon! Tina
Brilliant. As always.
OOH Christo, so glad you liked. Hunter T so hysterical isnt it. How I wish I could have written it to Harold Brodkey
Long live the brave journalists who speak truth to power Tell it!
Exactly. we have never needed them more T
I’m sure it was Obama’s remarks and the wave of liberal condescension directed at him at that 2011 dinner that fired up Trump and led to his run in 2016. Sir Harry would be disgusted at large wealthy law firms and media tycoons caving to Trump just to get out of the line of fire. We visited Durham University and the Palatine Centre last August, wondering if there was any kind of exhibit associated with Harold Evans’s career, and learned about the investigative reporting fellowship.
Thats so wonderful to hear, thank you and that you visited Durham. They should do an exhibit for sure ! Harry would have been very pleased . T
Thanks very much-
Tina, you’re one of my favorite writers and I’ve been enjoying your SubStack missives just as much as I have your books. Keep telling it like it is out there.
Thats so heartening to hear, thank you! T
Amazing Hunter S. Thompson story! Fabulous. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Its heaven i agree. So many people I wish I had sent it to as an editor! T
Tina dear-- just the other day while searching for something at the PBS site I marveled at two things: 1. the fact it still exists, 2: the discovery of a wonderful unedited interview you gave about Richard Avedon (December 1994), in which you read from Mr. Avedon's faxes to you! I do hope they make it into a book.
In your interview, you spoke of Avedon's passionate approach to everything he did (passionate being another word, perhaps, for manic.) I think you're the only editor other than Diana Vreeland who could have had such a powerful relationship with him.
There's something incredibly beautiful when one person can encourage the greatness of another-- it's an ability few ever practice, but you have made a life out of it. And the work is the proof. Avedon's breathless faxes to you are the proof. Those are love letters. Love for life, shared by two visionaries who can never have enough.
Here's an excerpt from your fax reading:
"Tina, dear, will do JASPER JOHNS immediately. The BALANCHINE layout is exactly the prototype. I’ll also do the GIACOMETTI before Wednesday, and I’m thrilled to do DIANA TRILLING.
Could TALK OF THE TOWN ever have a journalistic piece in it? Attached is what I did the night Kennedy was assassinated. And then there's theatre, young people, writers, musicians and politics. This is all so glorious.
Tina, dear, I’ve got a little idea about EUSTACE TILLEY.
P.S. From my pantheon of alcoholic wits, I’ve always wanted to photograph PETER O'TOOLE. Any interest?"
The interview can be seen here:
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/archive/interview/tina-brown/
I woke up this morning to a Mark Carney win and your post. Can’t think of a better way to start a day!
Thx so much and yes Carney was a great breath of fresh air after all the toxic news.! T
Disputatious such a good word. I think Hitchens, C, listed "disputation" as his hobby in Who's Who. This is first rate and see you next week for the rebel yell.
So thrilled you are coming. BTW there is a House of Lords reception the eve before 530 to 7 om as American embassy off the agenda for obvious reasons. So come if you can. I am sure we sent you an invite but if not received will ensure you get T
I never saw this! I couldn’t make HoL but was so happy to see you at the Substack Supper and the Summit. What a week!
I adored that Hunter S. Thompson letter. He was right up there with George Carlin.
Insightful interview with Oliver Darcy for Status. Your to read list must be take up a lot of your time.
In a world of liars, cheats, and criminals such as Donald Trump, be a Sir Harry Evans.
Tina, you and Sir Harry were destined for greatness from the moment you met! I love your stories about him and how courage was his trademark, just like you! 💕