Keith Kyle, Reporting the World

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Keith Kyle was 'the epitome of the intellectual journalist' and the foremost historian of the Suez War. In this, his posthumously published autobiography, he takes the reader on a spectacular and exhilarating journey through the political history of the later 20th century, to the heart of world-shaking international crises where great events, people and places come to life. The clarity, expertise, enthusiasm and essential modesty with which he wrote gave his international audience the vital feeling of involvement and being there. Here was a reporter - and he claimed to be no more - of rare skill, intelligence, humanity and true moral purpose. Keith Kyle's extraordinary career took him from history at Oxford with A.J.P. Taylor, military service in India and Burma (ending as 'an unlikely infantry captain'), to the BBC World Service. He was recruited for The Economist by Geoffrey Crowther to act as Political and Parliamentary Correspondent in Washington, where he was at the epicentre of world politics. He was in Washington when the Suez crisis broke - the subject of his major history, Suez: Britain's End of Empire in the Middle East, which has defined the subject to the present.
Keith Kyle's radio and television journalism brought him into countless British homes as BBC Talks Producer but he also held political ambitions which saw him contesting - unsuccessfully - St Albans and Braintree for Labour and Northampton South for the SDP/Alliance. In Keith Kyle's last years his life evolved from his years of vivid reporting of world politics, to scholarly research and writing at the John F Kennedy Institute of Politics at Harvard; St Antony's College, Oxford; the RIIA at Chatham House; and, the University of Ulster, where he was Visiting Professor of History.

Reviews

'It is at once moving and highly informative. A history of the times as well as an autobiography of a famous British journalist and public figure, not least the historian of Suez.' - Wm Roger Louis; 'Keith Kyle was the epitome of the intellectual-cum-journalist who emerged ... when newspapers and television were battling for supremacy in recording the Cold War and ... the triumph of liberalism ... A scrupulously honest observer who brought a sensitive nature and deep understanding of history to all he wrote and broadcast ... a most moving work.' - Simon Jenkins; 'A splendidly vivid evocation of an unusually varied career by one of the most accomplished TV and print journalists of our time. What distinguishes the author's whole approach is his candour and modesty ... only a free and independent spirit could have written this book.'- Anthony Howard; 'Keith Kyle was a very special historian and journalist. He observed his own times with his distinctive blend of generosity, detailed knowledge and ever courteous scepticism. Because of his natural charm and infectious curiosity, people told Keith things which he stored in his formidable memory. The richness of this fascinating memoir is the result.'- Professor Peter Hennessy; 'Keith Kyle's account of his life as a journalist, broadcaster, political writer, historian and authority on national affairs, is packed with fascinating material, finely put together. From his narrative the reader gets a vivid impression of the man: energetic, eager, enthusiastic, truthful, humorous and forceful. He was both an indefatigable idealist and a clear-sighted realist, and this unusual combination makes his book valuable and a delight to read.' - Paul Johnson; 'Gripping... Told here lucidly, wittily and wisely is the tale of a brave and perilous life' - Peregrine Worsthorne, Observer

Author Bio

Keith Kyle worked as a journalist, broadecaster, author and scholar throughout the world over the course of his long career. Among his many publications are Suez: Britain's End of Empire in the Middle East and Whither Israel: The Domestic Challenges (with Joel Peters). He remained actively involved in international history and politics until his death in 2007.