Biography of a Face

Three months ago, Patrick Hardison’s face belonged to a young Brooklyn bike mechanic. Fishman tells the story of both men, and the most extensive face transplant yet performed.

Published: Nov 15, 2015
Length: 20 minutes (5,186 words)

The Tabloid Turncoat

On former News of the World editor Colin Myler, who was blamed by Rupert Murdoch for the phone-hacking scandal. He’s now taking on Rupert as editor of the New York Daily News, the tabloid rival of the Murdoch-owned New York Post:

“The fun is going to be in competing against a man who first saved his career, then nearly ruined it. When Rupert Murdoch brought Myler to the Post, in late 2001, the move was a step down. For a decade, he’d been editor-in-chief of one British tabloid or another, most recently the Sunday Mirror, playing the Fleet Street game with brio. But then he crossed a line. In April 2001, in the midst of the trial of two soccer players accused of assaulting a Pakistani fan, Myler published an article that suggested racism as a possible motive. The problem was that the judge had prohibited consideration of a racial motive, and in England there are strict laws about honoring such prohibitions—’Journalism 101,’ says one of Myler’s Fleet Street colleagues. The judge in the case immediately called for a retrial, and even though Myler had consulted company lawyers, he was pushed out in disgrace.”

Published: Apr 23, 2012
Length: 19 minutes (4,778 words)

What Would Gabby Do?

[Not single-page.] For some, reclaiming her old seat has become the sine qua non of her recovery, part of its definition. In the book she offers a simple, heartfelt declaration: “I will get stronger. I will return.” But there are other options if it takes longer than expected. One of the daydreams floating through the corridors of Washington these days is that Kelly will step in. “He’s really accomplished. And there’s the popularity that both of them enjoy. Plus his biography would make him compelling,” said an influential Democrat. Kelly was already speaking for her, endorsing candidates on her behalf, which led to media reports like “Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords support …” It was a version of Bill Clinton’s buy-one-get-one-free boast about Hillary.

Published: Nov 12, 2011
Length: 19 minutes (4,914 words)

The Madoff Tapes

One evening a few weeks ago, my home phone rang. “You have a collect call from Bernard Madoff, an inmate at a federal prison,” a recorded message announced. Out of nowhere, there was that accent, familiar to anyone who’s visited Queens. Madoff apologized for calling collect. “I don’t have that much money in my commissary account,” he told me, before starting on a remarkable conversation that would stretch to several hours in more than a dozen phone calls. This being Bernie Madoff, in dollar terms the greatest criminal in history, I didn’t know what to believe. But I listened.

Published: Feb 28, 2011
Length: 31 minutes (7,951 words)

Newsboy

Looking for one last turn in the spotlight, 92 year old Sidney Harman paid his dollar for Newsweek. And Tina Brown was all set to dance. So why did it fall apart?

Published: Oct 24, 2010
Length: 18 minutes (4,649 words)

The Cuomo Family Business

Andrew Cuomo was his father’s id, aggressive where Mario was cerebral—the muscle that helped win Mario three terms as governor of New York. Now he looks like he’s about to take over his father’s old job. Has he learned enough from both of their mistakes?

Published: Aug 1, 2010
Length: 25 minutes (6,364 words)

Bernie Madoff, Free at Last

In prison he doesn’t have to hide his lack of conscience. In fact, he’s a hero for it.

Published: Jun 6, 2010
Length: 19 minutes (4,954 words)

I Dream of Diane

What do you do with the grief and guilt when your wife drives the wrong way on the Taconic State Parkway with a van full of kids and a body full of alcohol, and ends up in a crash that kills eight? You put her in a shrine.

Published: Nov 15, 2009
Length: 17 minutes (4,310 words)