The Grand Surprise

By Leo Lerman,

Book cover of The Grand Surprise: The Journals of Leo Lerman

Book description

A remarkable life and a remarkable voice emerge from the journals, letters, and memoirs of Leo Lerman: writer, critic, editor at Condé Nast, and man about town at the center of New York’s artistic and social circles from the 1940s until his death in 1994.

Lerman’s contributions to the world…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked The Grand Surprise as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I’m not going to lie: this is not for everyone. You really have to be interested - and conversant - in the cultural world of post-war Manhattan (and beyond) for this to sink in. Lerman, who was features editor at Vogue and editor at Vanity Fair among other jobs, was at the center of it all. I could name drop from the book for days, but trust me, everyone from Marlene Dietrich to William Faulkner were regular guests at his parties. More importantly, his position allowed him to champion the careers of artists in every field - writers, singers, painters,…

Want books like The Grand Surprise?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 84 books like The Grand Surprise.

Browse books like The Grand Surprise

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Manhattan, New York City, and presidential biography?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about Manhattan, New York City, and presidential biography.

Manhattan Explore 123 books about Manhattan
New York City Explore 974 books about New York City
Presidential Biography Explore 18 books about presidential biography