Cary Reich
Cary Reich was an American journalist and biographer born around 1950 in Brooklyn, New York. He developed an early interest in New York state politics, particularly in the career of Nelson A. Rockefeller, who served as governor from 1959 to 1973. After graduating from Brooklyn College and the journalism school at Northwestern University, Reich worked for notable publications such as the Commercial and Financial Chronicle and Institutional Investor, earning recognition for his profiles of influential figures in business. He received several awards, including the Overseas Press Award and the John Hancock Award for Excellence in Business and Financial Journalism.
In 1988, he transitioned to freelance writing and began focusing on biographies. His first major work, "Financier: The Biography of Andre Meyer," showcased his ability to humanize complex subjects through thorough research and interviews. However, his most significant contribution is considered to be "The Life of Nelson A. Rockefeller: Worlds to Conquer 1908-1958," published in 1996, which delves into Rockefeller's life before his governorship and his impact on politics and architecture in New York. Reich had planned to write a second volume covering Rockefeller's governorship but was unable to complete it due to personal circumstances, including his wife's illness. He passed away in 1998, leaving behind a legacy marked by dedication to his subjects and a profound understanding of American political history.
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Cary Reich
Author
- Born: 1950
- Birthplace: New York, New York
- Died: May 3, 1998
- Place of death: New York, New York
Biography
Cary Reich, a journalist and biographer, was born around 1950 in Brooklyn, New York, and lived there for much of his childhood. At an early age, he became interested in New York state politics, especially the career of Nelson A. Rockefeller, governor of the state from 1959 to 1973. Reich graduated from Brooklyn College, and he later attended the graduate school of journalism at Northwestern University. He married Karen M. Eisenstadt, a business executive, in 1985.
Reich was a reporter for Commercial and Financial Chronicle and Institutional Investor, two business publications, and he was a frequent contributor to The New York Times. Much of his reporting focused on profiling rich and influential individuals. He received an Overseas Press Award and the John Hancock Award for Excellence in Business and Financial Journalism; he also was a finalist for a National Magazine Award. In 1988, he resigned his reporting job to become a freelance writer.
After enjoying success as a business reporter, Reich began writing biographies. His first book, Financier, the Biography of Andre Meyer: A Story of Money, Power, and the Reshaping of American Business (1983), detailed the life of the controversial and extremely private financier. Reich spent years conducting extensive research and interviewing hundreds of people. He adeptly revealed the person behind the mound of facts and figures.
Reich brought that same skill and perseverance to his next project, which proved to be his greatest legacy. He produced a book that is considered the most comprehensive biography of Rockefeller. He conducted extensive research on his subject for more than nine years before he started to write. The Life of Nelson A. Rockefeller: Worlds to Conquer 1908-1958, published in 1996, examined Rockefeller’s life before he became governor, describing how Rockefeller transformed state government and the architectural landscape of New York and detailing his influence on American politics. Reich planned to write a second volume that would cover Rockefeller’s years as governor and his unsuccessful bids for a presidential nomination. However, his plan ran into difficulties when his wife became ill. Reich died in 1998 before completing the second volume.