The Reporter Who Made Himself King By: Richard Harding Davis (1864-1916)
The Reporter Who Made Himself King by Richard Harding Davis is an intriguing and thought-provoking novel that takes readers on a journey through the complexities of power, ambition, and the responsibilities that come with them. The story revolves around the character of Curtis, a journalist who unexpectedly finds himself thrust into a position of authority and influence in a fictional African country. As he goes about his task of reporting on the political unrest and civil war, Curtis soon realizes the potential for him to shape the destiny of the land and its people. What captivates the reader is the exploration of Curtis' moral dilemma. He grapples with the choices he must make to bring peace and prosperity to the nation while balancing his own personal gain. Davis adeptly portrays the internal struggle and ethical dilemmas faced by Curtis, making him a relatable and complex protagonist. The novel is rich in vivid descriptions, transporting readers to the exotic landscape of Africa. Davis beautifully portrays the complexities of the African culture and the clash of colonialism and indigenous beliefs. Through his eloquent prose, the author paints a vivid picture of the land and its people, immersing the reader in a world full of danger and intrigue. Moreover, Davis skillfully explores the themes of power and ambition, shining a critical light on the potential corruption and abuse that often accompany positions of authority. He highlights the fragility of democracy and the allure of autocracy, leaving readers with much to reflect upon. While the pacing of the story might seem slow at times, Davis compensates with his excellent character development. Each character, no matter how minor, feels unique and contributes to the overall narrative. Their interactions and dialogues are engaging, adding depth to the plot. However, the story does fall short in some areas. The ending, while satisfying in its resolution, feels rushed and does not fully explore the consequences of Curtis's actions. Additionally, some readers may find the colonial undertones problematic, as the narrative seems to perpetuate the notion of white saviors. In conclusion, The Reporter Who Made Himself King is a compelling and evocative novel that delves into the moral complexities of power and ambition. With its beautifully crafted prose and thought-provoking narrative, Richard Harding Davis offers a captivating exploration of the human condition and the dilemmas faced when faced with the opportunity to shape the fate of nations. First Page: The Reporter Who Made Himself King by Richard Harding Davis The Old Time Journalist will tell you that the best reporter is the one who works his way up. He holds that the only way to start is as a printer's devil or as an office boy, to learn in time to set type, to graduate from a compositor into a stenographer, and as a stenographer take down speeches at public meetings, and so finally grow into a real reporter, with a fire badge on your left suspender, and a speaking acquaintance with all the greatest men in the city, not even excepting Police Captains. That is the old time journalist's idea of it. That is the way he was trained, and that is why at the age of sixty he is still a reporter. If you train up a youth in this way, he will go into reporting with too full a knowledge of the newspaper business, with no illusions concerning it, and with no ignorant enthusiasms, but with a keen and justifiable impression that he is not paid enough for what he does. And he will only do what he is paid to do. Now, you cannot pay a good reporter for what he does, because he does not work for pay. He works for his paper. He gives his time, his health, his brains, his sleeping hours, and his eating hours, and sometimes his life, to get news for it. He thinks the sun rises only that men may have light by which to read it... Continue reading book >>

The Reporter Who Made Himself King By: Richard Harding Davis (1864-1916)

The Reporter Who Made Himself King by Richard Harding Davis is an intriguing and thought-provoking novel that takes readers on a journey through the complexities of power, ambition, and the responsibilities that come with them.

The story revolves around the character of Curtis, a journalist who unexpectedly finds himself thrust into a position of authority and influence in a fictional African country. As he goes about his task of reporting on the political unrest and civil war, Curtis soon realizes the potential for him to shape the destiny of the land and its people.

What captivates the reader is the exploration of Curtis' moral dilemma. He grapples with the choices he must make to bring peace and prosperity to the nation while balancing his own personal gain. Davis adeptly portrays the internal struggle and ethical dilemmas faced by Curtis, making him a relatable and complex protagonist.

The novel is rich in vivid descriptions, transporting readers to the exotic landscape of Africa. Davis beautifully portrays the complexities of the African culture and the clash of colonialism and indigenous beliefs. Through his eloquent prose, the author paints a vivid picture of the land and its people, immersing the reader in a world full of danger and intrigue.

Moreover, Davis skillfully explores the themes of power and ambition, shining a critical light on the potential corruption and abuse that often accompany positions of authority. He highlights the fragility of democracy and the allure of autocracy, leaving readers with much to reflect upon.

While the pacing of the story might seem slow at times, Davis compensates with his excellent character development. Each character, no matter how minor, feels unique and contributes to the overall narrative. Their interactions and dialogues are engaging, adding depth to the plot.

However, the story does fall short in some areas. The ending, while satisfying in its resolution, feels rushed and does not fully explore the consequences of Curtis's actions. Additionally, some readers may find the colonial undertones problematic, as the narrative seems to perpetuate the notion of white saviors.

In conclusion, The Reporter Who Made Himself King is a compelling and evocative novel that delves into the moral complexities of power and ambition. With its beautifully crafted prose and thought-provoking narrative, Richard Harding Davis offers a captivating exploration of the human condition and the dilemmas faced when faced with the opportunity to shape the fate of nations.

First Page:

The Reporter Who Made Himself King

Richard Harding Davis

The Old Time Journalist will tell you that the best reporter is the one who works his way up. He holds that the only way to start is as a printer's devil or as an office boy, to learn in time to set type, to graduate from a compositor into a stenographer, and as a stenographer take down speeches at public meetings, and so finally grow into a real reporter, with a fire badge on your left suspender, and a speaking acquaintance with all the greatest men in the city, not even excepting Police Captains.

That is the old time journalist's idea of it. That is the way he was trained, and that is why at the age of sixty he is still a reporter. If you train up a youth in this way, he will go into reporting with too full a knowledge of the newspaper business, with no illusions concerning it, and with no ignorant enthusiasms, but with a keen and justifiable impression that he is not paid enough for what he does. And he will only do what he is paid to do.

Now, you cannot pay a good reporter for what he does, because he does not work for pay. He works for his paper. He gives his time, his health, his brains, his sleeping hours, and his eating hours, and sometimes his life, to get news for it. He thinks the sun rises only that men may have light by which to read it... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Fiction
Literature
Short stories

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Wikipedia – Richard Harding Davis
Wikipedia – The Reporter Who Made Himself King

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