
Keith Kyle, Reporting the World
Keith Kyle(Author)
I.B. Tauris (Publisher)
Published on 17. June 2009
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-1-84885-000-2 (ISBN)
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.
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 / Votes
'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, ObserverMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Illustrations
21 integrated b/w
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-84885-000-2 (9781848850002)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Keith Kyle
Keith Kyle, Reporting the World
E-Book
06/2009
1st Edition
I.B. Tauris
€60.99
Available for download
Person
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.
Content
Contents
List of Illustrations
Preface
1. Foundations
2. Oxford at War
3. To Be a Soldier
4. Officer and Gentleman
5. Oxford on a High
6. Decline and Fall
7. With ME to the Beeb
8. With The Economist in America
9. First Encounter with Suez
10. Also Reporting for The News Chronicle
11. Reporting British Politics
12. New York and Africa
13. Europe and Matrimony
14. Tales of Africa
15. Setting Sights on Westminster
16. Harvard, Ireland and the Middle East
17. Islington, Ireland and Europe
18. The Candidate
19. Struggling Back
20. Another Election and at Last a Book
21. The End - or Almost
Notes
Index
List of Illustrations
Preface
1. Foundations
2. Oxford at War
3. To Be a Soldier
4. Officer and Gentleman
5. Oxford on a High
6. Decline and Fall
7. With ME to the Beeb
8. With The Economist in America
9. First Encounter with Suez
10. Also Reporting for The News Chronicle
11. Reporting British Politics
12. New York and Africa
13. Europe and Matrimony
14. Tales of Africa
15. Setting Sights on Westminster
16. Harvard, Ireland and the Middle East
17. Islington, Ireland and Europe
18. The Candidate
19. Struggling Back
20. Another Election and at Last a Book
21. The End - or Almost
Notes
Index