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Artur Domosławski

Ryszard Kapuscinski: A Life Hardcover – Illustrated, July 10, 2012

by Artur Domoslawski (Author)

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Reporting from such varied locations as postcolonial Africa, revolutionary Iran, the military dictatorships of Latin America and Soviet Russia, the Polish journalist and writer Ryszard Kapuscinski was one of the most influential eyewitness journalists of the twentieth century. During the Cold War, he was a dauntless investigator as well as a towering literary talent, and books such as The Emperor and Travels with Herodotus founded the new genre of ‘literary reportage’. It was an achievement that brought him global renown, not to mention the uninvited attentions of the CIA.

In this definitive biography, Artur Domoslawski shines a new light on the personal relationships of this intensely charismatic, deeply private man, examining the intractable issue at the heart of Kapuscinski’s life and work: the relationship and tension between journalism and literature.

In researching this book, Domos?awski, himself an award-winning foreign correspondent, enjoyed unprecedented access to Kapuscinski’s private papers. The result traces his mentor’s footsteps through Africa and Latin America, delves into files and archives that Kapuscinski himself examined, and records conversations with the people that he talked to in the course of his own investigations. Ryszard Kapuscinski is a meticulous, riveting portrait of a complex man of intense curiosity living at the heart of dangerous times.

Print length

464 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Verso
Publication date

July 10, 2012
Dimensions

6.39 x 1.54 x 9.46 inches
ISBN-10

184467858X
ISBN-13

978-1844678587
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Not just a fascinating biography of an important writer but also a subtle study of life under authoritarianism, with all the compromises and complexities that entails.”—Ian Birrell, Observer

“Domos?awski’s book is a poignant feat of biography, not only because he trekked all over the world on Kapu?ci?ski’s trail, but because it reopens dilemmas of integrity and conscience that are still painful for any journalist who tried to report the big world in the late 20th century ... [a] compelling, exhaustive and often upsetting book.”—Neal Ascherson, London Review of Books

“A truly great achievement.”—Agata Pyzik, Guardian

“Artur Domoslawski ... fires off questions like distress flares. He is dedicated in pursuit of evidence, crossing continents to get it, but a reluctant judge.”—Marek Kohn, Independent

“A compelling and controversial biography... Mr Domoslawski was a friend of the great man; but resolved to treat his life as a subject for serious inquiry, setting out with an open mind and detailed knowledge, and adding more insights and evidence along the way. The result is an exemplary explanation of what made Kapuscinski tick.”—Economist

“A great book about a great man.”—Zygmunt Bauman

“[A] reluctant and fascinating exposé.”—Nicholas Shakespeare, Telegraph

“The first real biography [of Kapu?ci?ski] ... reminds us that we reveal ourselves too in our evasions and confabulations and, indeed, that the distortions of reality are an important part of the image of reality.”—Peter Englund, Financial Times

“Exhaustive and focused ... substantial and interesting ... a real contribution to our understanding of Kapu?ci?ski.”—Columbia Journalism Review

“[A] fascinating, gently probing study.”—Irish Times

“Domos?awski ... leading Polish journalist and longtime disciple of Kapu?ci?ski, ultimately strives not to destroy his mentor’s reputation but to present a candid biography in hopes of understanding both Kapu?ci?ski’s enigmatic personality and, on a more abstract level, whether journalism is big or brave enough to include more ‘literary’ approaches.”—Booklist

“This comprehensive biography of the Polish foreign reporter extraordinaire is the most eagerly awaited book of the year.”—The Bookseller

“Domos?awski’s biography seems fascinated by moral gray areas—Kapu?ci?ski neglected his family, had affairs, spied for Poland’s government, and maintained his Party membership until 1981—but always takes a lenient view ... As Kapu?ci?ski once said, ‘I don’t want to stop at observation, I want to take part.’”—The New Yorker

“... A spectacular piece of literary investigation that takes us on an exploration of the meaning of journalism and tells us more about political life and choices in Poland during the communist years—and, in particular, how a leftist could maintain himself as a leftist during that time—than perhaps any book that has appeared to date.”—DISSENT

“A welcome portrait of the writer. The book exposes its subject’s many imperfections, but Mr. Domos?awski wisely does not to get carried away with them.”—Wall Street Journal

“A biography that reads like a novel.”—History Wire

“Domos?awki’s book is a mournful exposé, and ... his revelations are gently rendered.”—Nieman Reports

“[T]he story he tells us is less about this Polish reporter with a zeal for getting into dangerous places than the action he is witnessing. The story is about the people and their times, their daily life, motivations and dreams.”—Cerise Press

“An impeccable biography, one critical but also compassionate. Best of all, he situates his biographical narrative in the larger history that his subject helped to build and then tear down. Amidst ironies aplenty, the biographer remains steadfast in his determination to understand his subject—whatever the consequences.”—New Criterion

“The first definitive biography ... Sympathetic while investigative and critical.”—Bookforum

About the Author

Artur Domos?awski writes on international politics for the weekly review Polityka and for the Polish edition of Le Monde diplomatique, and for two decades reported for the Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza. In 2010 he received Poland’s prestigious Journalist of the Year Award. A Knight Fellow at Stanford University in 2005–2006, he is the author of five books and is currently working on a book about contemporary Latin America.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Verso; 1st edition (July 10, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 184467858X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1844678587
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.98 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.39 x 1.54 x 9.46 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,549,946 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,468 in Journalist Biographies
- #11,983 in Author Biographies
- #16,629 in United States Biographies

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BMaria

Real Picture of the era

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 20, 2022

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I love that book. Was really well research and well written. It pointed many flows of Ryszard Kapusciński as a human but does not make a judgment. I felt that was up to me to make my opinion. The book was providing facts and competition in some cases to other reporters from there other side. It actually help me to understand what was his work about and why he wrote his books the way he did. Definitely is a documentation of life of reporter in the years of restraint, censure and political controls. How the outside word influenced someone character and goals.
I read the book in Polish and then bought English translation to share with friends:)

Helpful

Mariusz Ozminkowski

Excellent book, but perhaps not for everyone...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 9, 2012

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The book caused uproar in Kapuscinski's native Poland. For many years Kapuscinski was considered one of the greatest writers, journalists, and perhaps even political commentators, at least on the subject of Africa and Latin America. He was revered and rarely criticized. So, when Artur Domoslawski, Kapuscinski's student and friend, published unvarnished picture of the master, most of the attacks and disappointments were targeting not Kapuscinski but his biographer. So, let's begin with one important point. Artur Domoslawski wrote an honest book. Yes, he discovered a great deal of problems with Kapuscinski's writing, many small and bigger errors, and, as he puts it, many confabulations, but there is no iota of ill will, a desire to destroy the reporter's image, etc.
The book is a biography, but not a simple recollection of facts, not a simple chronological narrative. Of course at least some chronology is preserved, after all, the book begins with Kapuscinski's place of birth, the war, the early days at the university, and his early work as a journalist. A reader, who wants to know the facts, will get a lot of them. And yet Domoslawski seems to be more interested in searching for the real Kapuscinski. Some of the issues that excited Polish readers, for example Kapuscinski's relationship with the communists and the intelligence services, are interesting but not especially revealing. Nothing surprising there. The most controversial part, and the most damning, is the easiness with which Kapuscinski was moving between the realm of facts and fiction. The original Polish title of the book alludes to the matter. The title is "Kapuscinski Non-fiction."
And again, Domoslawski handles the matter very well in my opinion. Maybe, at times, he seems to be a bit too philosophical, maybe even pretentious, but he is trying very hard to find answers. At the very basic level, he doesn't have any defense for Kapuscinski's confabulations. There is no excuse for crossing the line between facts and fiction. But then he continues with reflections on journalism, literature, engaged political writing, and new journalism. Where journalism ends and literature begins? Not everyone will be satisfied with his conclusions, but actually there are very few conclusions. I would say that on that particular subject there are many more questions than answers. And that's good. Perhaps it should be for the reader to come up with the conclusions.

28 people found this helpful

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Amazonia

a great literary figure is taken down a notch because he is inventive. those who envied him his talent will be pleased.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 5, 2013

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how can it be that a rare literary masterpiece, in the form of a perfectly true if often ficticious account of haile sellasie is the object of cavil? the trouble is that most "historians" and journalists dont have the literary ability kapuscinski had to write an original sentence, nor his skill at narrative and construction to write perfectly built paragraphs and chapters, nor the imagination to let go of facts and create a much greater truth. so they criticize kapuscinski because he is, was, their superior.

this biography , unfortunately, takes side by treating the envious attacks on kapuscinski as worthy. on the other hand, there is much in this book that an admiror can find very interesting and disturbing, including kapuscinski's embellished biography, his anti-semitism, his battles with illness, his tall tales about battle, and even his romances. i had the luck to know the man a bit, that is, i spent time with him, and laughed about the versions of his life told to this biographer -- he told me different ones, equally improbable. so what?! . i recommend the book to anyone who admires the man, despite its (not his) flaws -- it's also a mess, poorly organized, i'm sorry to complain, where was an editor? still, . it's clearly a well meaning and even courageous venture.

3 people found this helpful

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Mihal Ceittin

Kapuscinski Remains a Mystery

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 20, 2012

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The biographer's task is a difficult one indeed. He has to fold in all the available detail along with a fair amount of interpretive material and then season it with third-party observations and historical context AND great writing. Each biography mixes these things in different proportions depending on the subject and the available material and the skill of the author.

Most Westerners know Kapuscinski as the foreign correspondent par excellence. His books adorn the shelves of anyone seriously concerned with literature, history and adventure travel. Until now Kapuscinski's actual life has been a mystery to most people outside Poland...and for this we need to be most grateful to Mr. Domoslawski.

Unfortunately this biography of Kapuscinski - the red meat of which deals with Kapuscinski's on and off again relationship with the Polish Communist Party -- fails to explain the man in a satisfactory way. It seems that the author is trying to be more the objective observer than intimate acquaintance. This is not to say that biographies have to love their subject but there needs to be some depth of understanding (real or imagined) that this otherwise useful and interesting book lacks.

Having said that, it is a must for any fan of Kapuscinski who remains an enigma despite the noble efforts of Mr. Domoslawski.

2 people found this helpful

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Ed Deisley

ryszard kapuscinski

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 9, 2012

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book dragged in too many places; too many things were stated over & over again; enjoyed references to his many books but better job could have been done covering them; would not recommend this book as a one that is needed to read; his books were certainly worth the read better than this

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Top reviews from other countries

David 48

A great biography

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 20, 2014

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Ryszard Kapuscinski was a great writer. He may have been a great journalist, and almost certainly wasn't a great man, at the very least in his dealings with his communist regimes. This beautifully written book lays out the evidence in such a way as to leave you wanting more. On the one hand, how much of his most most famous books was scarred by inaccuracies? Some are pointed out, but does that render his books as fiction? On the other hand, how much was down to the way he interacted locally, at ground level, we see a good example, but want to know more. The book sets you thinking about the nature of journalism and writing, and also about how to be successful under a repressive regime. It is a fitting legacy.

3 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

Fascinating but flawed

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 15, 2013

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Although this biography is clearly deeply researched I personally found it difficult to get through. The translation feels clumsy in places and the attempts to place Kapuscinski's decisions in the context of the times felt more like excuses rather than sensitive handling of a complex historical period (as I suspect they were intended). A good / brave editor would have helped this book.

One person found this helpful

Chris Lawson

In retrospect it seems obvious that he was human after all

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on July 27, 2019

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I read my first Kapuscinski in university and have devoured any morsel of his writing I could find ever since. He was the journalist I wanted to be.

After he died I got wind of Ryszard Kapuscinski: A Life because a friend cited it. “You know he was a fraud and a spy, right? This biography proves it,” he told me.

I was outraged. So I got this book and read it. The author is in fact not doing a hatchet job on Kapuscinski at all. It’s a measured, sympathetic but honest account of the man, faults and all.

It’s well written — slow moving and detail oriented painterly — kinda like Kapu himself. The author acknowledges their subjectivity and involvement in the work. Kinda like Kapu himself. And allows for the ambiguity of a human life.

Having finished it I don’t feel like Kapuscinski’s life or achievements have been diminished or his works disproved but rather I have a much better sense of what it took to be him.

Faye Shaw

Hard going at times.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 13, 2014

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After having read and been really impressed with Imperium and Shadow of the Sun, I became keen to discover more about Kapuscinski’s travels, and his home and normal life in Poland. But after struggling with it for a few weeks, I'm a bit disappointed, and left thinking that its true what they say about meeting, (or in this case reading a biography) about your heroes. They're never quite what you expect.

It seems the main theme Domoslawski set out to emphasise was Kapuscinskis tendency to lie, or confabulate as it’s constantly referred to in the book. Maybe it’s just that I've never read a biography before where there are so many criticisms of its subject, but I didn't enjoy how much of a prominent role this took on in the book.

The other aspect that I found the most difficult to deal with were the long passages describing the political situation in Poland as it fell under Communist rule, and the lengthy descriptions of the goings on at the "PAP", the press agency Kapuscinski worked for as a younger man. The biography would still have held up without this much detail. Perhaps it’s more interesting for a Polish person.

Instead of this I wish there was more writings dedicated to his travels. Domoslawski includes interesting insights into his life in Africa, and to a lesser extent Latin America. He seems to skip from these descriptions of Kapuscinski’s travels as a young man, to Kapuscinski who is much older and writing Imperium, struggling with poorer health. A whole chapter of his life seems to be left out. I was hoping in particular to read more about his time travelling China as I am living there now.

There is also one chapter describing his difficult relationship with his daughter which, when compared to the rest of the biography, seems very out of place and I almost feel guilty getting such a personal insight into his life.

You do however come away with a good understanding of his personality and temperament, and some information about his home life and relationships with friends and family that you could never glean otherwise.

Overall, I still would've liked to have read the book to get a look in to such a daring and interesting man’s life, but I’d want to hang for it to be slightly cheaper. With hindsight I should have spent the money on reading a few more of his own books first.

8 people found this helpful

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