Jack Hawn Releases His Charming Memoir “Blind Journey: A Journalist’s Memoirs”

Former L.A. Times Author Recalls Career

Los Angeles, CA – WEBWIRE – Wednesday, December 7, 2022

From the old newspaper days of cut-and-paste (with scissors and glue) to Lucky Strike and Camel, and now-classic cars, Hawn’s book evokes memories of bygone eras, and a sense of nostalgia for times past, both good and bad. This is a charming book, written in a laid-back style. Truly enjoyable. – Reviewed by Fiona I. for Readers Favorite.

Jack Hawn’s autobiography, “Blind Journey: A Journalist’s Memoirs,” spans 43 years working in a profession he never envisioned, considered, or attended any schools of journalism. – “It just happened,” in his words.

After almost four years assigned to Army public information offices, he returned to civilian life with a wife, infant daughter, bursting optimism and no job.

Freelancing as an aspiring dramatist, the author is credited with having written episodes of major television series, including “12 O’clock High,” “FBI,” “Gunsmoke,” “Adam 12” and others.

But writing for television in competition with established dramatists didn’t pay the bills.

After 16 years working his way up to executive sports editor from copyboy at the Hollywood Citizen-News, at age 40, Hawn was hired by the Los Angeles Times.

Covering professional boxing, among other major sports, the author was one of the first writers to be ringside for a brash young man’s L.A. debut fresh from winning a gold medal in the 1960 Rome Olympics—Cassius Clay.

Over the years, after Clay became Mohammad Ali, Hawn again would be seen ringside watching the world heavyweight champion defend his title in some of the most exciting matches in the sport’s history.

After 10 years working in the sports department, Hawn transferred to the drama section of the Times, where for the next 11 years until his retirement in 1991, he wrote about famous entertainers of yesteryear. Among them were Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dinah Shore and many others.

“Blind Journey” is a fascinating book readers of all backgrounds will want to pick up time and again.

It will be found on Hawn’s website by ReadersMagnet at www.jackhawn.com and is available at Amazon and elsewhere.

Blind Journey: A Journalist’s Memoirs
Author | Jack Hawn
Genre | Biographical
Publisher | Strategic Book Group
Published date | October 19, 2010

Author
Born in 1930 in Nebraska, Jack Hawn later spent four years assigned to the army’s public information offices. In civilian life, he found work as a copyboy at a Hollywood newspaper, was paid $5 to review plays and nightclub acts, and a year later filled a sports desk vacancy. Jack Hawn’s journalism career covered sports and entertainment while working for the LA Times. He earned extra income as a television dramatist and wrote TV and radio scripts for sportscasters.

During his 43-year career, he covered Muhammad Ali title fights, boxing at the 1984 Olympics, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and other celebrities until his retirement from the LA Times in 1991.