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On the Waterfront: The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Articles That Inspired the Classic Film and Transformed the New York Harbor Hardcover – May 31, 2005

by Malcolm Johnson (Author), Budd Schulberg (Author, Introduction), Haynes Johnson (Foreword)

4.3 125 ratings

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Presents a compilation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper articles, collected for the first time since their original publication in 1948, that explored the role of organized crime on the New York waterfront, documenting a violent underworld and its profound influence on New York politics, industry, and society, and inspired the award-winning film On the Waterfront.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Johnson was a New York Sun reporter who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1949 for his series of 24 front-page articles in 1948, detailing crime on the New York waterfront. The series exposed what he called an "outlaw frontier," where organized criminals had a stranglehold on the ports. These gangs enforced their reign of terror through thievery, control of narcotics traffic, smuggling, shakedowns, kickbacks, bribery, extortion, and murder. They were allied with a crime cartel that Johnson labeled the syndicate--now known as the Mafia--that controlled organized crime in the U.S., including the powerful International Longshoremen's Union. Among the crime bosses were Charles (Lucky) Luciano, Frank Costello, and Meyer Lansky. Johnson's stories served as primary source material for investigations, as well as for novels, radio and TV shows, and movies--most notably On the Waterfront in 1954. Haynes Johnson, a Pulitzer Prize--winning journalist and son of Malcolm Johnson, has written an engrossing foreword. Budd Schulberg, the author of What Makes Sammy Run? (1940) and the screenplay for On the Waterfront, has written an equally informative introduction and related articles that appeared later in magazines. The book will renew interest in On the Waterfront with its brilliant cast that included Marlon Brando, Rod Steiger, Eva Marie Saint, Lee J. Cobb, and Karl Malden. The book is a gripping account of one man's courage and foresight that eventually brought down the Mob. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

A recovered jewel! -- Scott Liell, author of 46 Pages

An intriguing episodic account of true crime and survival on New York's outer edges. -- Kirkus Reviews

On the Waterfront is a notable example of reportage that has outlasted its dateline. -- Matthew J. Bruccoli, author of Some Sort of Epic Grandeur

One of the proudest monuments in the history of investigative journalism.... -- Benjamin C. Bradlee, former editor, Washington Post

Told brilliantly and authoritatively through the eyes and ears of a fearless reporter, ON THE WATERFRONT is a remarkable achievement. -- James MacGregor Burns, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian

About the Author

Malcolm Johnson was a reporter for The New York Sun. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1949 for his series of articles about crime on the New York waterfront. He died in 1976.

Budd Schulberg is an Academy Award-winning screenwriter and the bestselling author of What Makes Sammy Run? and The Disenchanted. He helped found the Douglass House Watts Writers Workshop in Los Angeles in the 1960s and New York's Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center in 1971.

Malcolm Johnson was a reporter for The New York Sun.

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Chamberlain Bros.
Publication date

May 31, 2005
Grade level

8 and up
Dimensions

5.48 x 1.15 x 7.7 inches
ISBN-10

1596090138
ISBN-13

978-1596090132
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chamberlain Bros. (May 31, 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1596090138
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1596090132
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.1 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.48 x 1.15 x 7.7 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,046,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #77,805 in United States History (Books)
- #850,586 in Literature & Fiction (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.3 125 ratings

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Malcolm M. Johnson
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Budd Schulberg
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Budd Schulberg (1914-2009) was born in New York City and grew up in Hollywood, where his father was production chief of Paramount Studios and his mother a successful agent. His many novels include the classic "What Makes Sammy Run?" and "The Harder They Fall." He received an Academy Award for his screenplay for "On the Waterfront" in 1954.
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4.3 out of 5

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A Very Good Modern Production

Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2021

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This audiobook of “On The Waterfront” is a modern production by modern actors. It is very good and is similar to the original movie. Marlon Brando and other stars of the period, are in the original movie and is certainly worth seeing. However I completely enjoyed this audiobook production. I purchased the original script as written by Budd Schulberg in order to compare and contrast. The two are similar, I now intend to view the movie which I have seen before.

I really enjoyed listening to this play on audiobook. Thank You…

One person found this helpful

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Honest Opinions

Reads like the On The Waterfront screenplay....almost.

Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2015

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The "On The Waterfront" movie was one of my all time favorites which I have watched several times. Naturally I zoomed through the book with excited anticipation. Through the first ninety-percent of the book, except for subtle differences, the book was reading like the movie screenplay. I had no problem with that until I got to the final few chapters. Without giving the ending of the novel away, in some respects I was disappointed because of what I was anticipating, the typical Hollywood "happily ever after" ending. After careful thought I then realized that Hollywood was just being Hollywood, whereas the author, in an attempt to realistically portray that time-period on the New York waterfront was being true to form. Having lived during that time, and in that area, and knowing what I did, concluded that the final chapters of the book was closer to the life of the longshoremen and the corruption that existed. I enjoyed the novel but, not as well as the movie.

4 people found this helpful

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marilyn whitley

A Classic for contemporary readers

Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2014

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On The Waterfront is a true classic. It reveals a portion of American history that made it necessary for Labor to organize to truly promote the American dream for ALL humankind. In this "story form" the reader comes to understand the shady underside of Capitalism. Those whose labor, have only their efforts to provide a living. As a consequence, they are most often controlled and disadvantaged by people who own property and productive means. On the Waterfront shows the brutality on both sides of the equation and highlights in very human terms the results of demanding truth and fairness. The role of the priest and the analogy of the crucifixion are well done. I suppose this is only required reading in church-based high schools. Too bad.

4 people found this helpful

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cindy

Informative

Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2022

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Too redundant.

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Anthony Mitchell

An Excellent Tale and an Insightful Look at the Story behind the Film

Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2015

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I watched the movie to this book a long time ago and loved it. However, if you love stories and books more than you care for movies, this book is certainly for you. The story of corruption on the Bohegan docks and Father Barry's stand against Johnny Friendly and his cohorts is highly detailed and wonderfully written. If you haven't seen the movie, you will enjoy a tale that that delves these characters lives together in one common goal to stand against evil. If you have seen the movie, this will only heighten your appreciation of the story as a whole.

2 people found this helpful

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Interesting but wordy expansion of the movie

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2021

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Our Book/Movie Club selected this book to compare to the 1954 movie starring Marlon Brando. The consensus was that the novel provided a somewhat bloated but nevertheless interesting expansion of the issues involved with corruption on the Jersey waterfront. Recommend reading the book first then the movie for those who wish to undertake the comparison. Amazon has the video for a $3.99 rental fee for the movie which is considered an absolute classic.

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CTLADY1212

So glad I finally read this amazing classic!!!

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2015

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Excellent book!!!! So much better than the movie. Which Mr. Schulberg wrote in the prologue. He couldn't fit everything into a 90 minute screenplay so he felt the need to write the book. It was so sad the conditions that the longshoremen dealt with because of greed and corruption. I wonder how the conditions are today. I sure hope they are much better than they were in the 1950's. Even though it is a novel, Mr. Schulberg did extensive research including spending time incognito on the waterfront. I'm looking forward to now reading "What Makes Sammy Run".

2 people found this helpful

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avidreader

Wow!

Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2012

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I saw the movie and loved it when I was a teenager, but it really didn't do the book justice. I probably would have missed this excellent read if my cousin in England hadn't mentioned it on Facebook. It is gritty and true to life and just plain a wonderful read.

4 people found this helpful

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tonyjones

Definitely a contender.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2016

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What an incredible book ! I saw the film many years ago and it blew me away, the book was so much better. I often find "the book" to be better than "the film", normally because the "artistic licence" of the director means that the original book is literally lost in the plot . Not so here. The plot and characters are unchanged but Schulberg is able to delve much deeper into their background and motivation without bogging the reader down. I would recommend this book to anyone who loved the film, to students of American social history and to anyone who enjoys a really good book.

One person found this helpful

jerseyd

An incredible story.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2012

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Having seen the film when it was originally released and and been totally riveted by the the story and the superb acting, I have picked up bits of knowledge of this episode over the years but never the complete story. This book, for me, was excellent as it filled in all the gaps. What I found revealing was the fact that contrary to belief, it was the Irish mobsters who, in the main, ran the waterfront rackets and not the Italians.

R. C. Day

A Real Classic Novel

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 26, 2013

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I read this book when it was first published and time hasn't changed the impact the book had on me. The film of the book was a turning point for filmmakers and the gritty realism became a template for other films. A good film needs a good screenplay and this book provided that.

Brilliant!!

One person found this helpful

Mr. M. Gunston

... well as the final shooting script there are two great introductions by Budd Schulberg and Elia Kaazn which add ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2015

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As well as the final shooting script there are two great introductions by Budd Schulberg and Elia Kaazn which add some historical context. Highly recommended for anyone who loves this film or students studying it.

anglesey lad

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2017

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Kindle purchase-no problems
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On the Waterfront: The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Articles That Inspired the Classic Film and Transformed the New York Harbor Hardcover – May 31, 2005

From Booklist

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About the authors

Malcolm M. Johnson

Budd Schulberg

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