Richard Bernstein, a former correspondent and critic for The New York Times, passed away at the age of 80 in Manhattan from pancreatic cancer. Renowned for his insightful reporting on significant historical events, Bernstein's work spanned topics from the French Revolution to modern Chinese authoritarianism. His writing style combined deep historical knowledge with a graceful approach and a contrarian perspective. Notably, he reflected on the cultural significance of rivers in his travels, illustrating his talent for seeing the deeper stories behind physical landscapes. Bernstein's dedication to journalism was notable throughout his career, leaving a profound impact on the field.
Rivers are symbols. You can not think of the Mississippi without also thinking of the American drama of race... the Yellow River is China immemorial.
Mr. Bernstein brought deep historical knowledge, a gracious writing style and a stubborn contrarian streak to subjects... the significance of parentheses in the politics of academic language.
His journalism had sweep, an elegiac sense of the tragic inherent in human affairs, and often a subtly crafted argumentation rooted in thorough on-the-ground reporting.
Mr. Bernstein, who retained throughout his life something of the nervousness and capacity for wonder of a cub reporter, never tired of working hard.
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