David Remnick
David Remnick (born October 29, 1958) is an American journalist, editor, and author. Discover his career from Moscow correspondent to editor of The New Yorker, his major works, philosophy, and memorable quotes.
Introduction
David Jay Remnick (born October 29, 1958) is a prominent American journalist, author, and editor. He has served as editor of The New Yorker magazine since 1998, shaping its direction during a period of dramatic political, cultural, and digital change.
Remnick’s voice bridges reporting, commentary, literary non-fiction, and editorial leadership. His writing is marked by deep historical awareness, narrative texture, and engagement with politics, culture, and power. Over his career he has produced award-winning books, penetrating magazine journalism, and steered one of the most respected magazines in American letters.
Early Life and Family
David Remnick was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, on October 29, 1958.
He was raised in Hillsdale, New Jersey, in a secular Jewish home surrounded by books.
Growing up, Remnick was intellectually curious and engaged. He attended Pascack Valley High School, where he studied Russian under a teacher Francis Falk, an experience that would influence his later focus on the Soviet Union and Russian affairs.
Education
Remnick attended Princeton University, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1981 with a degree in comparative literature.
Career & Major Works
Washington Post & Moscow Correspondence
After graduation, Remnick joined The Washington Post in 1982. 1988 as the paper’s Moscow correspondent.
His time in Moscow coincided with the late Gorbachev years, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and political upheaval. The on-the-ground experience in Russia formed the basis for his first major book, Lenin’s Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empire.
In 1993, Lenin’s Tomb was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction and also a George Polk Award.
Transition to The New Yorker & orial Leadership
In 1992, Remnick joined The New Yorker as a staff writer.
In July 1998, he succeeded Tina Brown as editor of The New Yorker.
As editor, Remnick has also continued to write major pieces, blend editorial direction with journalistic leadership, and steward the magazine’s intellectual brand.
Books & Major Publications
Remnick is the author of several influential books, many rooted in his journalistic experience:
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Lenin’s Tomb: The Last Days of the Soviet Empire (1993) — his landmark nonfiction book that won the Pulitzer.
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Resurrection: The Struggle for a New Russia (1997) — further exploration of post-Soviet Russia.
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King of the World: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero (1998) — a biographical work about Muhammad Ali, focusing on how he shaped American culture.
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The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama (2010) — a comprehensive biography of Barack Obama.
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Holding the Note: Profiles in Popular Music (2023) — a more recent work compiling cultural and musical profiles.
He has also edited many anthologies of The New Yorker pieces, such as Life Stories, The New Gilded Age, Fierce Pajamas, Secret Ingredients, among others.
Influence & Recognition
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In 2000, Advertising Age named him or of the Year.
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He is a member of the American Philosophical Society and has served on the New York Public Library board of trustees.
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Under his tenure, The New Yorker has won multiple National Magazine Awards and maintained its status as a cultural and intellectual institution.
Philosophical Perspective & orial Vision
David Remnick’s approach to journalism and editing can be seen through several key principles:
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Historical consciousness & depth
In both his books and magazine pieces, he often situates current events within broader historical or geopolitical frameworks, resisting a shallow or purely contemporary lens. -
Narrative & character
Remnick values storytelling, character, and texture—even in political or international coverage. His profiles often bring out nuance, contradiction, and moral complexity. -
Institutional stewardship
As editor, he sees The New Yorker not simply as a magazine but as a cultural institution with responsibilities to craft, standard, and expand serious journalism and literary journalism. -
Balancing tradition and innovation
Remnick has guided the magazine through digital transitions, subscription models, and new media while seeking to preserve the quality and voice of the magazine’s tradition. -
Cultural engagement
Beyond politics, he covers arts, letters, music, and cultural change; he sees culture as integral to power, identity, and democracy.
Famous Quotes
Here are select quotes often attributed to David Remnick (or reflecting his style):
“98% of the people who get the magazine say they read the cartoons first — and the other 2% are lying.”
(On the role of The New Yorker) — “We try to build a reader’s attention span, to invite longer thinking, to resist the shrill, to resist the facile.” (paraphrase of editorial philosophy)
These reflect his sense of humor, self-awareness about readership, and belief in thoughtful journalism.
Lessons from David Remnick
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Cultivate depth, not just speed
In an era of instant news, Remnick demonstrates the power of long writing, investigation, and reflection. -
Balance roles: writer and editor
He shows that it’s possible to lead a major publication while still writing substantial pieces himself. -
Institutional values matter
Building and preserving a magazine’s voice and mission over decades is a test of leadership and integrity. -
Narrative in journalism
Even in reporting serious topics, narrative style, character insight, and stylistic care enhance impact. -
Adapt without losing identity
Navigating digital change, media economics, and cultural shifts—while preserving core standards—is a demanding but necessary path.
Conclusion
David Remnick remains a central figure in contemporary American journalism. He has charted a path from frontline foreign correspondent to editor of one of the country’s most esteemed magazines, all the while authoring books that bridge history, biography, and reportage.
His work underscores the mission of journalism in deep times — not only to inform but to interpret, to humanize, and to situate. Through his writing, editing, and leadership, Remnick invites readers to slow down, look further, and think more deeply about the forces that shape our world.