Truth and Justice for Fun and Profit: Collected Reporting

If you know anything about Michael Heaton then you know it’s creative and genuine

Read the very best of the "you are there" style of journalism. This is a fantastic collection of human interest stories about people anonymous and notorious and the amazing backstories of some high profile happenings.From a reporter who's been around the block and around the globe, Michael Heaton has covered it all, and to say he writes with humour and pathos would be an understatement. This collection proves him to be one of the greatest story tellers of the baby boom generation, whose Minister of Culture savvy, has been honed by his own experiences living out the last half of the twentieth century. No matter who he writes about, he's able to empathize with them in such a way, that people really bare their souls. What we get is something hillarious, sorrowful, heart pounding and truly deep, about an amazing diversity of folks and their real life experiences.A super fun and thrilling read.

I was entertained and informed by his stories and could relate to him

I met this fellow, Michael Heaton, at a wedding. I ordered his book. And I’m sure glad I did. He writes with a sharp knife. He cuts through the superfluous like a nickel steak. His Tough, realistic storytelling is like walking with him through the underbelly of the unusual life of Clevelanders and beyond. Example: I’ve not read a better description of Gypsy life any where. And I’ve ready a lot in prep for a new novel. His stories will move you to the edge of your chair.

Newspaper columnist compilations are enjoyable enough--that is, if you like the columnist. A collection of columns by your favorite journalist looks great on your bookshelf (and makes for great bathroom reading!). But note the subtitle of Michael Heaton's book--this is not a collection of columns from The Plain Dealer's Minister of Culture, but a collection of reporting from a longtime Cleveland journalist. And what reporting! Heaton tells us of an undercover G-man and a goodfella turned snitch; the sad aftermath of the life of a man who crossed the Atlantic solo in a tiny boat; Cleveland's version of the drunken paisanos of Tortilla Flat; the surprisingly upbeat story of a popular sportscaster with terminal cancer. Some of these pieces are hilarious, like Heaton's attempts at boxing and demolition derby. Some are serious, like his reports on stalking, or at Ground Zero in the days after 911. The book also has some older pieces on some folks who we know better today: Cleveland mayor Frank Jackson, back when he was a new councilman; pre-movie star Harvey Pekar from American Splendor; and Chef Michael Symon before he was knighted with the title "Iron." There is something for everyone in here. In a time when newspaper subscription is in decline, Michael Heaton's book shows us the importance of that medium. Read this book and you'll be looking for a newsstand to plunk down your four bits.And non-Clevelanders shouldn't be scared off. These stories are mainly "of" Cleveland, but they "transcend" Cleveland as well. More to the point, Heaton's writing captures the humor, the drama, and yes, the optimism that is Cleveland. Cleveland isn't about rivers burning and sports teams losing, but that's part of it. Cleveland is also about big hair in suburban malls, about forever trying to bridge the gap of east and west, and about restaurants where mobsters and celebrities once hung out. Cleveland is about celebrating its history and looking forward to its future, however uncertain. This book captures that optimism that is the essence of Cleveland.

Sure, the guy appears to be the winner of the Rip Taylor Look-alike Contest but don't let that fool ya. This is a serious book by a serious fellow. Most importantly, Michael Heaton is serious about being funny and if not funny then clever and if not clever, then well, he is as entertaining as all get out. That's because this compedium of tales goes from the land to sea, from Berea to El Salvador, from mobsters and FBI g-men to the Most Famous Unknown Artist in the World. He covers the waterfront and the landlocked too. Everything gets a piece of the action as Heaton goes from one exploit to the next with courage and flair. Finally all his best work has been collected in one place- the story of the guy in the rickety boat and the artist who made work that you could only get by mail because he never left his house. Joe Esterhaus does his best weriting since Dreamgirls in introducing Heaton and it is whirl of poignant tests of inner strength, fast-moving adventures and uncontrolled hilarity after that. Reading the Minister of Culture column in the Plain Dealer every week is always a highlight and his longer articles in the Sunday magazine give him a chance to stretch out, but having Michael Heaton's unique voice on call on the night table was a treat that kept on giving. So sit back and enjoy the show. If you like this book as much as i do, then we are probably in for another one soon- a full length story I would hope, because these things have a way of working out. This one will sell like hotcakes but wait- people don't buy hotcakes anymore so scratch the word "profit" from the title. But maybe a follow up book, Michael? And don't despair, there is certainly truth and fun here in abundance.

This is a collection of Cleveland stories by a guy who has never been able to permanently escape Cleveland. This is bad news if you don't live in Cleveland, good news if you do. Michael Heaton, known locally as The Minister of Culture, covers politics and sports and people in Truth And Justice. The stories recapitulate the town and its people. They are a little rough around the edges, a little sad, a lot funny. They are always insightful. Heaton has an eye for detail and an ear for conversation and cadence. The stories ring true to those of us banished to the North Coast, but they go further than that. This is more than a bunch of "slice of life" Cleveland stories. Truth and Justice paints a rollicking canvas of America over three rather interesting decades, and is a rewarding read.