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pete hamill page

dedicated to the writer's journalism and fiction

This page is devoted exclusively to the works of the acclaimed journalist, best-selling novelist and essayist, Pete Hamill. For many, he is the living embodiment of New York City, one who has chronicled the life of New Yorkers more than anyone of his generation. Mr. Hamill served as a major influence in my decision to pursue a writing career. I have had the good fortune of knowing Pete Hamill since 2004. This association has resulted in 5 published interviews and book reviews: Downtown, My Manhattan (a memoir), - a required reading in certain New York City public schools; the best-selling novels, North River and Tabloid City; the short story compilation, The Christmas Kid and Other Brooklyn Stories, and the bestselling book essay, Why Sinatra Matters. Also included is my unpublished book review of his novel, Forever, which has taken its place among the great works of historical fiction, with New York City as the centerpiece. The name of my website, "Piecework Journals," is borrowed liberally from Mr. Hamill's excellent book titled, "Piecework," a collection of his brilliant essays, which was published in 1996. ~ John Esposito
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"Letter to the Editor" - published in The New York Times online edition: 7-16-2019; published print edition: 7-21-2019
[I cast my vote for "A Drinking Life" (1994) by Pete Hamill. This wonderful book is a richly deserving memoir, which unfortunately, was not chosen by the New York Times staff in their list of the "50 Best Memoirs published since 1969." It was later included with other choices in a subsequent list titled, "More Memoirs!," submitted by The New York Times readers, like myself.] 
​*     The New York Times pdf newspaper print edition is on page 6 of the Book Review. (view the 
7th letter listed in the newspaper).  
**   The New York Times online link (view the 
8th letter by scrolling down from the top).
​*** The The New York Times pdf link (view the 
8th letter by scrolling down from the top).
*    CLICK TO DOWNLOAD NEW YORK TIMES "LETTER TO THE EDITOR" - NEWSPAPER PRINT EDITION PDF 
**  click to download new york times "letter to the Editor" - online link
*** CLICK TO DOWNLOAD NEW YORK TIMES "LETTER TO THE EDITOR" - pdf 

Why Sinatra Matters - The Italian Tribune - Book Review - published 12-10-2015
[Why Sinatra Matters - extended book essay and biographical sketch on life and career of Frank Sinatra - originally published in 1998 and revised with a new Introduction by the author in October 2015]​
 CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE book review of "why sinatra matters," published in the Italian Tribune - pdf link

Pete Hamill Interview - Q. and A. The author discusses his bestselling book and friendship with Frank Sinatra, the most famous singer of the twentieth century. - ​Interview date: 11-11-2015
[Why Sinatra Matters]
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD interview

Pete Hamill's Tales from the Old Neighborhood - NewJerseyNewsroom - Book Review and Q. and A. 
published: 12-18-2013
[The Christmas Kid and Other Brooklyn Stories - book of short stories culled primarily from the Sunday New York Daily News series that was published weekly in the early 1980s.]   
click to download article

Tabloid City - NewJerseyNewsroom - Book Review - published: 5-27-2011
[Tabloid City - novel]
Click to Download article

Pete Hamill Interview - NewJerseyNewsroom - Q. and A. - discusses Tabloid City and print journalism in internet age published: 5-27-2011]
[Tabloid City - novel]  
click to download article

North River - Star Ledger - Perspective Section - Book Review - published: 7-15-2007
[North River - novel] 
click to download article

Pete Hamill Interview - discusses North River; history of newspapers - Greenwich Time - Q. and A. - published 6-10-2007
[North River - novel] 
click to download article

Downtown, My Manhattan -  Greenwich Time - Q. and A. - published: 12-5-2004
[Mr. Hamill's memoir discussing his career as a newspaperman in Lower Manhattan, while working for the N.Y. Post and N.Y. Daily News, among other papers, intermingled with a wonderful, nostalgic history of Manhattan.]     ​
click to download article

Downtown: My Manhattan - Star Ledger - Perspective Section - Book Review - published: 11-28-2004
[Downtown: My Manhattan - novel] 
click to download newspaper print article

Forever - Unpublished Book Review - 12-26-2002
[Forever - novel]
click to download article