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Jane Wolfe
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Burl: Journalism Giant and Medical Trailblazer Hardcover – September 6, 2022

by Jane Wolfe (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 17 ratings
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The riveting biography of Burl Osborne, former chairman of The Associated Press and publisher of The Dallas Morning News, who waged and won one of the last great newspaper wars in the U.S.

Burl is the story of one man’s unlikely rise from the coal mines of Appalachia to the pinnacle of journalism. After being diagnosed with a fatal kidney disease as a child, Burl Osborne pioneered home dialysis treatment and became the 130th person to undergo a live kidney transplant in 1966—then an unproven, high-risk operation.

While managing his challenging illness, Burl distinguished himself early as a writer and reporter with The Associated Press, eventually rising to the top of the wire service’s executive ranks. Then, against the advice of his colleagues and the newspaper’s own doctors, he sought an even greater challenge: joining The Dallas Morning News to lead the fight in one of America’s last great newspaper wars.
 
Throughout his life and career, he garnered respect from business and political leaders, reporters, editors, and publishers around the country. Burl thrusts readers into the improbable and remarkable life of a man at the forefront of both medicine and the golden age of journalism.

 
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  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Andrews McMeel Publishing
  4. Publication date
    September 6, 2022
  5. Dimensions
    6.2 x 1.9 x 9.4 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1524871796
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1524871796
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Burl: Journalism Giant and Medical Trailblazer
Publisher's Weekly Review: "...a moving testament to a consequential figure."

Burl Osborne: Journalism Giant and Medical Trailblazer

Burl - Front Cover with Coffee

In this biography, Jane Wolfe describes Burl Osborne's journey from Appalachian coal mines to medical history maker and respected journalist.

Burl Osborne was diagnosed with a fatal kidney disease as a child. Within his lifetime, he would become a pioneer for home dialysis and become one of the first recipients of a live kidney transplant. Even with medical challenges, Osborne achieved an incredible career in journalism. He wrote for The Associated Press, working his way to the top and eventually left to become part of the staff at The Dallas Morning News. Osborne then led The News to win one of the greatest newspaper battles of the time.

Burl Osborne's career and life had a huge impact in medicine and journalism and he was widely respected. This biography offers deeper insight into his life and the remarkable impact he had on history.

Burl - excerpt

The book includes excerpts from articles written by Burl Osborne, as well as direct quotes and photos from his life.

Burl chapter 13

Burl - photo

Burl Chapter 33

Editorial Reviews

Review

Burl Osborne was a man of talent, determination, and courage against obstacles. All those qualities are reflected in this book. He was a friend and valued colleague—a man I admired.
  (Walter R. Mears, Associated Press reporter for forty-five years and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist)

"Wolfe (The Murchisons) does justice in this comprehensive biography to the inspiring life of journalist Burl Osborne (1937–2012), who during his career led both the Associated Press and the Dallas Morning News. Born in a Kentucky coal camp, Osborn suffered a bad case of strep throat at age six, wasn’t expected to survive his teen years, and suffered kidney disease, eventual failure, and frequent dialysis. He nevertheless overcame the odds and enrolled in college in 1956, where a chance question from a professor—“Anybody here want to be a cub reporter?”—sparked his career. In 1957, he joined The Ashland Daily Independent, which led to his job at the AP. He climbed the ladder, becoming managing editor in 1977 and being elected chairman by 2001. Meanwhile, his tenure at the Dallas Morning News, which started in 1980, was so successful it ran its city rival out of business. Photos and excerpts from Osborne’s own writing bring his colorful personality to life: he captured the nation’s attention, for example, with reports on a man in West Virginia who nearly lost his dog in a mine shaft but emerged “half laughing and almost crying as he carried his 3-year-old rabbit hound off the mountain.” The result is a moving testament to a consequential figure." (Publishers Weekly)

Burl was wildly unique . . . I’ve never met anyone in the media business like him. He was the real deal.
  (Morton H. Meyerson, former executive of Electronic Data Systems and current chairman of 2M Companies, Inc)

Today, more than ever, America needs more Burl Osbornes . . . tough, demanding but compassionate, a fighter, a competitor, and a newsman committed to reporting the news in a balanced, honest,
and fair manner.
  (Dolph C. Simons, Jr., editor of The Lawrence Journal-World and chairman of the World Company)

Burl served on the board of CPJ for fifteen years . . . [He] had an uncanny ability to identify the key issues, ask the relevant questions, and build a consensus around an informed decision. It was a marvel
to watch him work . . . His service contributed enormously to . . . the defense of persecuted journalists around the world seeking to bring the truth to light.
  (Joel Simon, executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists)

Every word in Burl rang true to me. I could almost hear him speaking in my ear. I laughed many times and cried a few as well. (Linda Quick, Burl Osborne's longtime friend, business associate, and retired executive vice president of marketing for Foley's department store chain)

About the Author

Jane Wolfe is the author of two previous biographies, The Murchisons: The Rise and Fall of a Texas Dynasty (St. Martin’s Press, New York) and Blood Rich: When Oil Billions, High Fashion, and Royal Intimacies Are Not Enough (Little, Brown & Co., New York). She is also a freelance writer for several publications, including the New York Times and Town & Country magazine. Although she lived in Dallas from 1980 until 2019, she now resides in the city where she was born, Columbus, Ohio, and where her family for many years owned The Columbus Dispatch.
 

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Andrews McMeel Publishing (September 6, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1524871796
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1524871796
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.2 x 1.9 x 9.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 17 ratings

About the author

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Jane Wolfe

Jane Wolfe

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Jane Wolfe is the author of two previous biographies and one that will be published in September, 2022. Her first book, "THE MURCHISONS: The Rise and Fall of a Texas Dynasty," was published in 1989. Her second book, published in 1994, is "BLOOD RICH: When Oil Billions, High Fashion, and Royal Intimacies Are Not Enough." Both received highly favorable reviews, including this one about "THE MURCHISONS" - "If episodes of the TV show 'Dallas' were half as interesting as this real life Texas family, ratings would never be a problem."

Her current book is "BURL: Journalism Giant and Media Trailblazer," to be published by Andrews McMeel Publishing (AMP) on September 6, 2022. It is the story of the late Burl Osborne, former chairman of "The Associated Press" and publisher of "The Dallas Morning News," who waged and won one of the last great newspaper wars in the United States. The biography tells the riveting story of Burl's unlikely rise from the coal mines of Appalachia to the pinnacle of journalism - a remarkable feat made more so by his ongoing battle with kidney disease. In the early 1960s Burl pioneered home kidney dialysis treatment and in 1966 became only the 130th person in the world to undergo a live kidney transplant, a risky and unproven operation at the time. His is an exciting journey during the golden age of journalism, and his biography will be required reading for journalism and medical students alike.

Author Jane Wolfe lived in Dallas for forty years before recently relocating to her hometown of Columbus, Ohio. She has written for dozens of newspapers and magazines, including "The New York Times" and "Town & Country."

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
17 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book an inspiring and valuable read. They describe the story as gripping and encouraging, with a remarkable true-life tale of a news trailblazer.

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8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and inspiring. They say it's a valuable read and one of the best books they have read in a long time. Readers appreciate the author's dedication to quality journalism and his love for life and family. The book is described as terrific and not disappointing.

"...This book should be required reading for all aspiring journalist. A must read for anyone needing or considering organ transplantation and donation...." Read more

"...Burl will gain insight and experiences to what living, learning, persevering, contributing, leading, and accomplishing is all about...." Read more

"This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. A great story about an inspiring man and his many successes...." Read more

"...Highly recommend this book." Read more

7 customers mention "Story quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the story engaging and inspiring. They describe it as a gripping true-life tale about a news trailblazer's remarkable life.

"...Jane Wolfe's inspiring biography of Burl Osborne, who rose from the coal town of Jenkins, Kentucky to pioneer home dialysis and kidney..." Read more

"...Jane Wolfe shares a fascinating and encouraging real-life story...." Read more

"...Wolfe, gives us a vivid inside look into the amazing and inspirational life of Burl Osborne...." Read more

"...themes – Burl Osborne’s journalism career and his even more remarkable medical history...." Read more

Gripping Story! Fabulous Cover!
5 out of 5 stars
Gripping Story! Fabulous Cover!
This is definitely a book one should judge by its cover. The cover says "pick me up and take me home." Like the cover, the book does not disappoint. Jane Wolfe's inspiring biography of Burl Osborne, who rose from the coal town of Jenkins, Kentucky to pioneer home dialysis and kidney transplantation in the 60s while distinguishing himself as one of American's leading journalist is gripping from beginning to end. His contribution to American Journalism began in an Associated Press correspondency in Bluefield, W.VA rising through the ranks to become its Chairman of the Board. As Editor and Publisher of the Dallas Morning News, the paper won several pulitzers. Ms. Wolfe uses Burl's writing and reporting, speeches, correspondence and interviews in such a way that the reader feels that it is Burl telling the story of his life. This book should be required reading for all aspiring journalist. A must read for anyone needing or considering organ transplantation and donation. A terrific book about a man who fought to live each day and did it with grit and determination while enjoy each day to the fullest.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Brandy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Story! Fabulous Cover!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is definitely a book one should judge by its cover. The cover says "pick me up and take me home." Like the cover, the book does not disappoint. Jane Wolfe's inspiring biography of Burl Osborne, who rose from the coal town of Jenkins, Kentucky to pioneer home dialysis and kidney transplantation in the 60s while distinguishing himself as one of American's leading journalist is gripping from beginning to end. His contribution to American Journalism began in an Associated Press correspondency in Bluefield, W.VA rising through the ranks to become its Chairman of the Board. As Editor and Publisher of the Dallas Morning News, the paper won several pulitzers. Ms. Wolfe uses Burl's writing and reporting, speeches, correspondence and interviews in such a way that the reader feels that it is Burl telling the story of his life. This book should be required reading for all aspiring journalist. A must read for anyone needing or considering organ transplantation and donation. A terrific book about a man who fought to live each day and did it with grit and determination while enjoy each day to the fullest.
    Customer image
    Brandy
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Gripping Story! Fabulous Cover!

    Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2022
    This is definitely a book one should judge by its cover. The cover says "pick me up and take me home." Like the cover, the book does not disappoint. Jane Wolfe's inspiring biography of Burl Osborne, who rose from the coal town of Jenkins, Kentucky to pioneer home dialysis and kidney transplantation in the 60s while distinguishing himself as one of American's leading journalist is gripping from beginning to end. His contribution to American Journalism began in an Associated Press correspondency in Bluefield, W.VA rising through the ranks to become its Chairman of the Board. As Editor and Publisher of the Dallas Morning News, the paper won several pulitzers. Ms. Wolfe uses Burl's writing and reporting, speeches, correspondence and interviews in such a way that the reader feels that it is Burl telling the story of his life. This book should be required reading for all aspiring journalist. A must read for anyone needing or considering organ transplantation and donation. A terrific book about a man who fought to live each day and did it with grit and determination while enjoy each day to the fullest.
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  • AC
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Valuable Read – for Everyone!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Truly an inspiring read – from start to finish. Everyone who reads Burl will gain insight and experiences to what living, learning, persevering, contributing, leading, and accomplishing is all about. Jane Wolfe shares a fascinating and encouraging real-life story. Readers will certainly find qualities within various chapters of Burl’s intriguing life story to help fulfill their own individual goals.
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  • Patrick McCoy
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspirational Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The author, Jane Wolfe, gives us a vivid inside look into the amazing and inspirational life of Burl Osborne.
    She guides us from his humble upbringing to his rise at the Associated Press (AP), all while dealing with severe (liver) health issues. Burls' perseverance, wit, genius, and adoration for his family & co-workers are beautifully told. You may have "heard" of Burl Osborne, but you walk away feeling you "know" him. The pictures included complete the story.
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  • M. Wilson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Burl Osborne was a special person on multiple fronts
    Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I just finished reading Jane Wolfe’s book, Burl, Journalism Giant and Medical Trailblazer.
    As the title notes, the book features two main themes – Burl Osborne’s journalism career and his even more remarkable medical history.
    Burl’s AP career is well-documented and tracks his rise from newsman to correspondent to news editor to COB in Louisville and Columbus to ACOB in Washington, culminating in his tenure as AP managing editor (followed later by a term as chairman of the AP Board of Directors).
    All kinds of memories are stir when reading the names of so many of Burl’s fellow AP employees, including AP general manager Frank Starzel, Wes Gallagher, Keith Fuller, Lou Boccardi, Tom Curley and Gary Pruitt. Many other AP alumni surface, including Dorman Cordell, John Brewer, Kathleen Carroll, Carl Leubsdorf, Jim Mangam, Bob Scott, Marv Arrowsmith, Andy Lippman, Rich Oppel, Mike Silverman, Paul Stevens, Michael Putzel, Terry Hunt, Dave Tomlin, Bob Johnson, Walter Mears, Bobbie Seril, Mark Thayer, Noland Norgaard, Ann Blackman and others.
    Burl’s post-AP career was at the Dallas Morning News where, as editor, he led successful effort to make the News one of the nation’s top daily newspapers while battling and winning a newspaper war with the Dallas Times Herald. Burl ultimately rose to become publisher of the News and a top executive at the News’ parent company, Belo Corp.
    The second theme of Jane’s book is about Burl’s pioneering medical history. He was born in a rural Kentucky coal town to poor parents. Early on, doctors found that Burl’s kidneys were failing kidneys. Burl was told as a child not to expect a long life – a prediction he heard repeatedly during his life.
    When he was AP correspondent in Spokane, he participated in a highly experimental (and painful) home dialysis treatment before becoming one of the earliest kidney transplant patients. His mother donated a kidney for the surgery, which was performed in 1966 by the legendary surgeon Dr. Tom Starzl, nephew of former AP General Manager Frank Starzel.
    In 1994, Burl underwent a second transplant surgery, receiving a kidney from his brother David. After the surgery, Burl wrote to his doctor (in part): “Very few people in this world are given a second chance at life. Now you have seen to it that I have a third, and I know I must use it wisely.”
    Burl, the son of a father who couldn’t read or write, used his life – his lives – wisely and well.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mary C
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of the best books I have read in a long time.
    A great story about an inspiring man and his many successes.
    Author, Jane Wolfe truly captures Burl Osborne's life from a very young age through
    adulthood. Beautifully written.
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  • Liz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Horatio Alger has nothing on BURL!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Horatio Alger used to be the standard for a person pulling themselves up in life by their bootstraps. BURL Osborne has surpassed Alger's example. A fascinating story of rising to the pinnacle of success in an unusual combination - news/media and organ transplantation. He was certainly a survivor. It's not the road less traveled, but someone's parallel journey down two unrelated paths. The true story of how a 12 year old child of Appalachia rose to prominence and power while his life existed on a thread of innovative medical technology. With the support of a loving family, and a little luck, all things are possible. Highly recommend this book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Rena M. Pederson
    5.0 out of 5 stars The remarkable story of a news trailblazer
    Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Jane Wolfe perfectly captures Burl Osborne's brave health struggle and lifelong dedication to quality journalism in "Burl." She's done her research well and shows why Osborne was such a unique leader. His story deserves to be read because he changed newspapers for the better. Thanks to her for preserving his historic career for future generations of journalists.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Karen Coker
    5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable man!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I personally had the honor and pleasure of knowing Burl. There were parts of his life I knew about but, so much that I didn't. It gave me a deeper respect for him and, how he treated people.
    And, I have to admit, I cried big tears the two chapters.
    Burl is someone that clearly had a love and determination for life and, his love of family was apparent in this book too.
    One person found this helpful
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