Ryszard Kapuscinski

Ryszard Kapuscinski, the reporter of revolutions and political drama, has died at age 74. The Guardian’s obituary is here.

His books, The Emperor (1978) and Shah of Shahs (1982) were, over the years, on the reading lists for my courses in political economy. His on-the-ground deep-description, perhaps a bit magical as some critics have suggested, contrasted with the otherwise analytical and quantitative style of my courses.

In the pedestals chapter of Beautiful Evidence, there is a long excerpt from Kapuscinski’s Shah of Shahs on depedestalization,
which elaborates in complicated and ironic ways Richard Serra’s comments beginning that chapter. As can be seen in the excerpt, his writing had an intense reality and physicality of direct experience.

Ryszard Kapuscinski was a great writer, a world treasure. May his songs always be sung.