The Start by William L. ShirerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very good autobiography covering the first third of the 2oth Century through Shirer's Zelig-like existence beginning with his Chautauqua tent raising to hearing William Jennings Bryant speak to shaking President Coolidge's hand. Later as a foreign correspondent in Paris, the Cedar Rapids, Iowa rube that went to town (Chicago) gets wrapped up in the excitement of solo Atlantic crossing, including going to Lindbergh's landing, Gene Tunney's wrapped up pugilist career (Shirer did much sport writing and it opened doors) and works alongside James Thurber and F. Scott Fitzgerald while seeing through the self-worship of Gertrude Stein. A fascinating, circumspect life.
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