Halberstam Reminisces About Friend, Fellow Writer, Lukas

In the wake of the suicide of the author and journalist J. Anthony Lukas '54, David Halberstam '55--the prize-winning journalist--last night spoke about his friend and colleague's life and work.

The Brattle Theater was packed with about 150 admirers of Lukas's works.

This June, after completing his final book, Big Trouble, Lukas, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner, committed suicide.

The book is a narrative of a sensational murder case in a small town in Idaho.

"I hope that in telling this big story I've helped illuminate the class question at a time when the gap between our richest and poorest citizens grows ever wider," Lukas wrote in the author's note in the book.

Though the murder took place in 1905, Halberstam emphasized the relevance of Lukas's book to today. He said that the eight years of work on the book took a toll on Lukas, who suffered from clinical depression.

"Lukas was a person who was significantly undermined by the demons who bothered him," Halberstam said.

As two young reporters, Halberstam and Lukas met at The Crimson 45 years ago, and they worked together at The New York Times for many years.

"It is hard and very emotional to talk about a beloved colleague taking his life," Halberstam said about his talk last night.

While Lukas was taking medication for his depression, he was careless about seeing his therapist, Halberstam said, before praising his friend's character and many achievements.

"Lukas was fully formed intellectually already at Harvard--he was geared for the New York Times," Halberstam said, adding that he learned a lot from Lukas.

According to Halberstam, Lukas lived his work--his social life was driven and defined by his career.

"He really loved journalism--it was a form of oxygen he couldn't get elsewhere," Halberstam said. "He became the prototype of the journalists of our era."

Halberstam also talked about journalism in general.

"I think that journalism is a great door to the world--you see the under-world," he said.

Halberstam's speech impressed many audience members.

"It was very illuminating to hear about the life and work of someone who I thought very highly of," said Rohua A. Shoul, a local resident. "The talk was wonderful."CrimsonPaul S. GutmanA SAD TALE: DAVID HALBERSTAM '55 speaks at the Brattle.

Halberstam also talked about journalism in general.

"I think that journalism is a great door to the world--you see the under-world," he said.

Halberstam's speech impressed many audience members.

"It was very illuminating to hear about the life and work of someone who I thought very highly of," said Rohua A. Shoul, a local resident. "The talk was wonderful."CrimsonPaul S. GutmanA SAD TALE: DAVID HALBERSTAM '55 speaks at the Brattle.