In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Reston wrote numerous pieces about amnesty for Vietnam deserters, people who had left the United States rather than serving in the war.[10][11] This led to two books, both collection of essays, When Can I Come Home, in 1972 and The Amnesty of John David Herndon in 1973.[9] Reston said, "Now as a veteran against the war, I gravitated to the issue of amnesty for Vietnam war resisters, no doubt because emotionally I sympathized deeply with their plight and their decision in contrast to my own course."[11]
External videos
Presentation by Reston on The Conviction of Richard Nixon, July 12, 2007, C-SPAN
From 1976 to 1977, Reston was David Frost's Watergate adviser for the historic Nixon interviews.[8] Reston's book about the interviews, The Conviction of Richard Nixon, was the inspiration for Peter Morgan's 2006 play Frost/Nixon, in which the character Jim Reston is the narrator.[8] It was made into a film in 2008, also called Frost/Nixon.[2]
His works of both fiction and non-fiction cover a wide range of historical and political topics.[7] In 1985, Reston was the Newsweek, PBS, and BBC candidate to be the first writer in space on the NASAspace shuttle.[3] That program was scrapped after the Challenger accident in January 1986.[3] On May 23, 1994, Time magazine published his cover story on the impact of the Shoemaker Levy 9 comet into Jupiter.[3]
Reston wrote four plays which were all stage adaptations of his books[13] —Sherman the Peacemaker premiered at the Playmakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1979, and was an outgrowth of his book, Sherman's March and Vietnam;[13]Jonestown Express, based on his 1981 book Our Father Who Art in Hell, premiered with the Trinity Square Repertory Company in 1982; Galileo's Torch was adapted from his biography of Galileo and Galileo: A Life was staged in seven separate productions between 2014 and 2017;[14] and Luther's Trumpet is an adaptation of his 2016 book, Luther's Fortress, and premiered in September 2018.[13]
In 2005, Reston tried to stop production of Ridley Scott's film Kingdom of Heaven, claiming half of the script was based on the first part of his book Warriors of God.[15] Reston's book was previously optioned by Phoenix Pictures, who had unsuccessfully pitched the concept to Scott as a potential project.[16] Reston said, "They have built this film on the back of my intellectual property. They just read the first hundred pages and saw it has these great characters and a fantastic battle."[16]
In 2016, Reston's 1977 book, The Innocence of Joan Little: A Southern Mystery, was optioned by Paulist Productions to possibly develop as a limited series.[17]
Reston married Denise Brender Leary on June 12, 1971, in Hume, Virginia, at Fiery Run, the Restons' cabin.[6] She received a law degree from Duke University and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Milton Leary of the Bronx.[6] They lived in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and had three children: Maeve, Hillary Reston, and Devin.[1][5][2] As of 2017, Reston lived at Martha's Vineyard.[3]
External videos
Interview with Reston on Fragile Innocence, September 30, 2006, C-SPAN
Reston's book Fragile Innocence, A Father's Memoir of His Daughter's Courageous Journey (2006) is the story of his daughter Hillary's experience with a debilitative viral brain infection.[19][2]
In 1983, Reston received the Prix Italia and the Dupont–Columbia Award for radio documentary Father Cares: the Last of Jonestown on NPR.[1][8] He received the Valley Forge Award for Sherman's March and Vietnam in 1985.[1]
In popular cultureedit
Reston's book The Conviction of Richard Nixon was developed into a play, Frost/Nixon that was, in turn, developed into a film with the same title.[20][2] Reston is depicted in the 2008 film Frost/Nixon
by Sam Rockwell.[21][2]
"Correcting JFK Mythology on his Death" USA Today (November 13, 2013)[70]
"Induct Pete Rose into Hall of Fame: Column" USA Today (March 27, 2014)[71]
"Opinion: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Three Southern Villains." Newsweek (February 15, 2015)[72]
“Clark and Pritchett: A Comparison of Two Notorious Southern Lawmen.” Southern Cultures (Winter 2016)[73]
"The Novelist’s Event: Fact, Fiction, and a Writer’s Search for a Universal Subject." Georgia Review (2018)[74]
"Opinion: Another Impeachable Offense." The New York Times. (May 6, 2019)[75]
"'To Heal a Nation': Creating the Vietnam Wall" American Heritage (June 2021)[76]
"Remembering Flight 93: 'Okay. Let's Roll'" American Heritage. (September/October 2021)[77]
Referencesedit
^ abcdefghijklmn"Reston, James B. Jr. 1941–". Contemporary Authors, New Revision Series. Cengage. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
^ abcdefghijklmnopRoberts, Sam (July 19, 2023). "James Reston Jr., Author With a Hand in Nixon Apology, Dies at 82". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
^ abcdefghijklThornton, Maureen (September 13, 2018). "The Obsessions, the Overall Work: An Interview with James Reston Jr. – The Georgia Review". thegeorgiareview.com. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
^Apple Jr., R. W. (December 7, 1995). "James Reston, a Journalist Nonpareil, Dies at 86". The New York Times. p. 1. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
^ abcDunlap, David W. (September 24, 2001). "Sally F. Reston, Journalist and Photographer, Dies at 89". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
^ abcde"Denise Brender Leary Is Bride In Virginia of James Reston Jr" (PDF). The New York Times. June 13, 1971. p. 80. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
^ ab"James Reston Jr. Papers, 1955-2018". finding-aids.lib.unc.edu. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
^ abcdefg"James Reston Jr. Named Scholar in Residence at Library of Congress". Library of Congress. February 4, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
^ abcdReston, James Jr. (January 21, 1973). "Deserter vs. Public: Alone Against Angry Voices". The La Crosse Tribune. Wisconsin, La Crosse. p. 28. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
^ abReston, James Jr. (April 10, 1971). "Vietnamize At Home" (PDF). The New York Times. p. 23. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^ ab"Amnesty". The Works of James Reston, Jr. 1971 to 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"James Reston, Jr". AmericanHeritage.com. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
^ abcd"Theatre". The Works of James Reston, Jr. 1971 to 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
^ ab"James Reston Jr.'s Famous Historical Play GALILEO'S TORCH Comes to Castleton". BroadwayWorld.com. July 24, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
^Brodesser, William Triplett, Claude; Triplett, William; Brodesser, Claude (March 29, 2005). "Inside Move: Scribe on crusade over 'Heaven' script". Variety. Retrieved June 4, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ abLei, Richard (March 29, 2005). "The Reliable Source". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Petski, Denise (June 28, 2016). "Paulist Prepping 'The Innocence Of Joan Little' Book As Limited Series". Deadline. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Polly Morrice (March 26, 2006). "What Not to Expect". The New York Times. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
^"James Reston Jr. On The 'Frost/Nixon' Interviews". NPR. December 10, 2008. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Manohla Dargis (December 5, 2008). "Mr. Frost, Meet Mr. Nixon". The New York Times. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
^Hensley, Scott (January 14, 2011). "Author Sees Parallel In Giffords Shooting And JFK Assassination". NPR. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
^"Nonfiction Book Review: The Lone Star: The Life of John Connally by James Reston, Jr". Publishers Weekly. November 1, 1989. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Nonfiction Book Review: Collision at Home Plate: The Lives of Pete Rose and Bart Giamatti by James Reston, Jr". Publishers Weekly. January 1, 1991. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Nonfiction Book Review: Galileo: A Life by James Reston, Jr". Publishers Weekly. April 1, 1994. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Nonfiction Book Review: Last Apocalpyse by James Reston, Jr". Publishers Weekly. February 1, 1998. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Nonfiction Book Review: Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin in the Third Crusade by James Reston, Jr". Publishers Weekly. May 1, 2001. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Nonfiction Book Review: Dogs of God: Columbus, the Inquisition, and the Defeat of the Moors by James Reston, Jr". Publishers Weekly. October 1, 2005. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Nonfiction Book Review: Fragile Innocence: A Father's Memoir of His Daughter's Courageous Journey by James Reston, Jr". Publishers Weekly. February 1, 2006. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Nonfiction Book Review: The Conviction of Richard Nixon: The Untold Story of the Frost/Nixon Interviews by James Reston, Jr". Publishers Weekly. September 1, 2007. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Nonfiction Book Review: Defenders of the Faith: Charles V, Suleyman the Magnificent, and the Battle for Europe, 1520–1536 by James Reston, Jr". Publishers Weekly. May 1, 2009. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Luther's Fortress: Martin Luther and His Reformation Under Siege | Wilson Center". www.wilsoncenter.org. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. (October 1, 2017). "How Maya Lin's Vietnam War Memorial broke the competition's biggest rule". Salon. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"The Impeachment Diary". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
^Gussow, Mel (May 25, 1984). "Theater: The Story of Jonestown, in Providence". The New York Times. p. 48. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Father Cares: The Last Of Jonestown". NPR. October 18, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Bush Administration Misuses the Word 'Caliphate'". NPR. January 4, 2006. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Political Stem-Cell Debate Delays Medical Progress". NPR. July 19, 2006. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Impeachment: The View From 1974". 1A. October 30, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"88 Seconds in Greensboro". FRONTLINE. January 24, 1983. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"The Real Stuff". FRONTLINE. January 27, 1987. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Carmody, John (September 19, 1988). "THE TV COLUMN". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^"Betting on the Lottery". FRONTLINE. November 6, 1990. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. "Universal Amnesty" New Republic (February 5, 1972) p. 15-16. via The Works of James Reston, Jr. 1971 to 2021. Accessed June 4, 2022
^Reston, Jr. James. "Needed: A Grand Reconciliation". Newsday (September 3, 1974). via The Works of James Reston, Jr. 1971 to 2021. accessed June 4, 2022.
^Reston, Jr., James. "Limited Amnesty: Not Easy: The President Gave Himself a Difficult Job" The New York Times September 8, 1974, pg. 210.
^Reston Jr. James. "Real Amnesty Would be Good for America" Newsday, March 31, 1975. via The Works of James Reston, Jr. 1971 to 2021 accessed June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. The Joan Little Case" The New York Times Magazine. April 6, 1975, pg. 240. Accessed June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. "On Carter's Amnesty and Pardon Views" Appeared in The New York Times October 2, 1976, pg. 25. Accessed June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. “Southern Justice and the Case of Joan Little” The New York Times (January 6, 1978) p. 21. Accessed June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. "The Breaking of Richard Nixon" Playboy (April 1978). via The Works of James Reston, Jr. 1971 to 2021.
^Reston Jr. J. The Jonestown Papers. (Cover story). New Republic. 1981;184(17):16-17.via EBSCO, Accessed June 4, 2022. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=12819029&site=eds-live&scope=site
^Reston, James Jr. (June 27, 1981). "Opinion | Meet the Past Program". The New York Times. p. 21. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. (March 14, 1982). "Reagan and Monroe". The New York Times. p. 23. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. (April 7, 1982). "A Matter of Honor". timesmachine.nytimes.com. p. 23. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. (1984). "Mission to Mind". OMNI: 51–53, 102–107 – via Internet Archive.
^Reston, James Jr. "INVITATION to a POISONING | Vanity Fair | February 1985". Vanity Fair | The Complete Archive. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. (March 13, 1986). "United States Commission on Civil Rights: We Shall Undermine". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. 1994. “Collision Course. (Cover Story).” TIME Magazine 143 (21): 54. via EBSCO , accessed June 4, 2022. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=9405187530&site=eds-live&scope=site.
^Reston, J. Jr. "The persistence of guilt". American Theatre. 1995;12(1):56. via EBSCO, Accessed June 4, 2022. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=9508252703&site=eds-live&scope=site
^Reston, J. Jr. The monument glut. The New York Times Magazine. 1995;144(50180):48.via EBSCO Accessed June 4, 2022. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=9510114984&site=eds-live&scope=site
^Reston, J. Jr. Orion. National Geographic. 1995;188(6):90.via EBSCO, Accessed June 4, 2022. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=9512031592&site=eds-live&scope=site
^Reston, James Jr. (January 9, 1999). "Opinion | Failing the 1868 Test". The New York Times. p. 15. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. 1999. “‘Be Christian or Die.’” Christian History 18 (3): 12. via EBSCO, accessed June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. (January 2009). "Frost, Nixon and Me". Smithsonian Magazine. pp. 86–92. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. 2002. “A Prophet in His Time.” American Theatre 19 (3): 28. via EBSCO, accessed June 4, 2022. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=6238853&site=eds-live&scope=site.
^Reston, James Jr. (August 7, 2002). "When Generosity Is Medically Necessary". timesmachine.nytimes.com. p. 17. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. 2007. “Jesse James and Me.” Smithsonian 38 (7): 112–20. via EBSCO, accessed June 4, 2022. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=26737706&site=eds-live&scope=site.
^Reston, J. Jr. Pointed Questions. Wilson Quarterly. 2012;36(1):83-86. via EBSCO, Accessed June 4, 2022. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=70237036&site=eds-live&scope=site
^Reston, James Jr. "Correcting JFK mythology on his death: Column". USA Today. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. "Induct Pete Rose into Hall of Fame: Column". USA Today. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. (February 15, 2015). "Martin Luther King Jr.'s Three Southern Villains". Newsweek. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. 2016. “Clark and Pritchett.” Southern Cultures 22 (4): 50–60. via EBSCO. accessed June 4, 2022.
^Reston, J. Jr. The Novelist’s Event: Fact, Fiction, and a Writer’s Search for a Universal Subject. Georgia Review. 2018;72(2):320-333.via EBSCO, Accessed June 4, 2022. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=131974380&site=eds-live&scope=site
^Reston, James Jr. (May 5, 2019). "Opinion | Trump's Other Impeachable Offense". The New York Times. p. 23. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
^Reston, James Jr. (June 2021). "'To Heal a Nation': Creating the Vietnam Wall". American Heritage. 66 (4).
^Reston, James Jr.; Whittle, Richard (September 2021). "Remembering Flight 93: "Okay. Let's Roll!"". American Heritage. 66 (6). Retrieved June 4, 2022.