Rugged Times

Unsigned New Yorker profile, widely known to have been written by Lillian Ross, marking the start of her lifelong friendship with Mailer — he discusses the Wallace campaign and the reception of The Naked and the Dead.

Read an excerpt (rights pending)

“Rugged Times.” Article-interview by Lillian Ross. The New Yorker, 23 October 1948, 25.

Mailer discusses the Wallace campaign, and 48.2, which he says “offers a good deal of hope.” According to Mailer, “propositions” should be “proportions” in the penultimate sentence. Contains a comment on 48.2 repeated from 48.8. The interview marked the beginning of Mailer’s lifelong friendship with Lillian Ross.

Rpt: Conversations with Norman Mailer, ed. J. Michael Lennon (88.6).