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Neil Sheehan

War correspondent and author; Pulitzer Prize winner, 1989

United States · 1936–2021

American journalist who covered the Vietnam War for United Press International and The New York Times and obtained the Pentagon Papers for the Times in 1971. His book A Bright Shining Lie won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.

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Question What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you have ever made — of money, time, or energy?

I’m glad now I did it. It took up all my middle years. I started it in 1972, and I published it in 1988, and my middle years all went into it, but I am glad I put them into it. Otherwise I’d have just been writing newspaper stories. It’s a worthy profession. It’s a good profession, but the newspaper, after it’s published, is something to wrap the fodder in the next day. ... A book sits on the shelf, and I really wanted to do this. I’m glad that I had done it.

Recorded Academy of Achievement recorded interview, American Academy of Achievement, 19 June 2007 source ↗

Question What is something you were told by a parent, teacher, or mentor that you still repeat to yourself?

One of my editors once said to me, “If you get invited to the White House, take your notebook with you,” and he meant it. It’s something one has to always remember because when you stray off the path, you do a disservice to the American public.

Recorded Academy of Achievement recorded interview, American Academy of Achievement, 19 June 2007 source ↗

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