Max Gissen
Max Gissen (1909 – November 14, 1984) was an American journalist known for book reviews at TIME magazine.[1][2][3]
Background
Max Gissen was born in Kiev, then the Russian Empire (today, Ukraine) and came with his family to the United States. He grew up in Brattleboro, Vermont. He attended Clark University.[2][3]
Career
Gissen reviewed books the The New Republic magazine under Edmund Wilson
During World War II, he served in the US Army as an infantry captain in Europe.[2][3]
In 1946, he joined TIME,[3] where he interacted with Whittaker Chambers, T.S. Matthews, and publisher and co-founder Henry Luce.[1][2] Initially, he wrote the Press section; in 1947, he took over book reviews. He also started the Time Reading Program, a book series.[2]
While at TIME, he wrote cover stories on Louis Armstrong and John P. Marquand,[1] for the latter of which won public praise from publisher Henry Luce.[3]
Personal life and death
Gissen married Louise; they had a son and daughter.[2]
Gissen died age 75 on November 14, 1984, at his home in Weston, Connecticut.[2]
Awards
References
- "Reminiscences of Max Gissen : oral history, 1963". Columbia University. 1963. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- "Max Gissen, Ex-Books EditorAt Time Magazine Dies at 75". New York Times. 15 November 1984. p. B16. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- "Letter from the Publisher, Mar. 7, 1949". TIME. 7 March 1949. Retrieved 13 January 2021.