Jimmy Breslin: The Man Who Told the Truth offers an intimate and captivating look at the life of one of New York’s most iconic writers. Through Richard Esposito’s detailed biography, readers are taken behind the typewriter of a journalist who wasn’t afraid to dive into the gritty, overlooked stories that defined an era. From covering the JFK assassination to his encounters with infamous figures like the Son of Sam, Breslin’s work was never just about the headlines—it was about the people behind them. Esposito’s access to Breslin’s estate and interviews with those who knew him bring depth to the portrait of a man who was as blunt, irreverent, and unapologetic as his columns. For fans of journalism and those curious about the intersection of life and the stories we tell, this book offers a fascinating look at a writer who truly captured the pulse of his time.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the free, advanced, digital review copy. While the height of Jimmy Breslin's career is a bit earlier than my time, I know the name from my interest in the field of journalism.

I expected a bit more of a traditional biography where the author walks me through Breslin's life. I should have known that wasn't what I was in for by the simple fact that journalism was Breslin's entire life from his early years starting off in a copy room to his death where he struggled to put down the pen and retire. I believe Richard Esposito wrote Breslin’s biography the way Breslin wrote about others, by immersing himself into who the person was, what he felt, and how he thought. In this book, you are learning who Breslin is by coming alongside Breslin as he immersed himself in his storytelling pieces of investigative journalism. This book covers many of his most famous works, from Kennedy's surgeon and grave digger all the way to Occupy Wall Street and doesn't shy away from the controversy toward the end of his career. As someone who wasn't familiar with all of his work, I found this biography to be fascinating on two fronts: learning about Breslin, but also learning a new side to many of our country's headline stories.

I listened to this on audio book as read by Eric Jason Martin. I hadn't heard of this narrator before but his voice lends well to the story of an old New York newsroom and makes you feel as if you're sitting there yourself, choking on smoke and chasing it with a glass of whiskey.

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