NPC Book Rap: John Norris "Mary McGrory: The First Queen of Journalism"

Join us on the evening of October 15th where John Norris will discuss his new book "Mary McGrory: The First Queen of Journalism" with Dan Balz, Chief Correspondent at The Washington Post and a veteran political reporter moderating the event. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Rooms.

Before there was Maureen Dowd or Gail Collins or Molly Ivins, there was Mary McGrory. She was a trailblazing columnist who achieved national syndication and reported from the front lines of American politics for five decades. From her first assignment reporting on the Army–McCarthy hearings to her Pulitzer-winning coverage of Watergate and controversial observations of President Bush after September 11, McGrory humanized the players on the great national stage while establishing herself as a uniquely influential voice. Behind the scenes she flirted, drank, cajoled, and jousted with the most important figures in American life, breaking all the rules in the journalism textbook. Her writing was admired and feared by such notables as Lyndon Johnson (who also tried to seduce her) and her friend Bobby Kennedy who observed, “Mary is so gentle—until she gets behind a typewriter.” Her soirees, filled with Supreme Court justices, senators, interns, and copy boys alike, were legendary.

John Norris is the author of several books, including the Disaster Gypsies, a memoir of his work in the field of emergency relief. John has published commentary in scores of outlets including, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and elsewhere. He has a graduate degree in public administration. He currently is the Executive Director of the Sustainable Security and Peacebuilding Initiative at American Progress.

Our moderator Dan Balz is also author or co-author of four books, including two New York Times bestsellers: Collision 2012 and, with the late Haynes Johnson, The Battle for America 2008. He is a regular panelist on PBS’s “Washington Week” and is a frequent guest on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” PBS’s “News Hour,” NBC’s “Meet the Press,” and CNN’s “Inside Politics.”

The event includes an author discussion, Q&A from the audience, and book signing. Tickets are $5 for NPC members; $10 public. This event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit NPC Journalism Institute.

No outside books or memorabilia permitted. Books must be purchased through the National Press Club. All sales are final; no refunds will be issued.