49: Nick Grabbe knows David Grayson’s secret

I stumbled onto the writing of David Grayson as I reflected on my (sometimes) daily reading of The University Library. Grayson's way of seeing the good in people and letting curiosity turn his feelings of urban oppression into natural wonder were inspiring. Open, curious conversations with people are kind of what this podcast is about. 

So, I went on the hunt for someone to talk to about the guy whose method of talking to people was so inspiring. 

And I found Nick Grabbe (grab-AY). Nick worked for decades as a journalist in Amherst, Massachusetts. Born in Washington, D.C., and custom-built to work as a big-city journalist, Grabbe turned to what he calls “simple living” in the small Massachusetts town he moved to. That’s what Grayson himself extolled for many years in his columns written for newspapers in the early 20th century. 

But, it turns out … there was no David Grayson. It was a pseudonym. Who was this Grayson guy? Grabbe will explain. And along the way he’ll tell us about journalism and the appeal of a less hectic way of life—both of which held Grayson’s attention, too, as you’ll discover ... 

More to see: 

• Want to learn more about a simple-living, small-town-focused journalist’s career? Buy Nick's self-published Print and Privilege: Newspaper Writer Tells His Story (2021, Off the Common Books). 
• Do you want to try out a David Grayson book, or an essay or character study or two?
  • Gutenberg’s offerings (website)
  • Internet Archive’s offerings; just ignore the ones that look newer (website)
• Read more from David and his wife on the simple-living blog Adventures in the Good Life.
• If we have titillated your curiosity, you can learn more from an online exhibit about Grayson and an event Nick spoke at. The website features photos and letters like the ones Grabbe references in this podcast.
• Read Nick’s entire essay/speech/presentation on Grayson he delivered at the event referenced above.