Lee Irwin

Irwin Shaw, born Irwin Gilbert Shamforoff in New York City to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, became a prolific American author. He achieved significant success with his novels, particularly 'The Young Lions' (1948), which depicted the experiences of soldiers in World War II and was adapted into a film, and 'Rich Man, Poor Man' (1970), a saga of siblings in the post-war era that became a popular miniseries. Shaw's career began in radio and screenwriting in the 1930s. He served in the Army's Signal Corps film unit during World War II. Following his service, he continued writing, but his association with the Group Theatre and his signing of a petition concerning HUAC led to his placement on the Hollywood blacklist in the early 1950s. This prompted him to relocate to Europe, where he lived for 25 years, continuing to produce bestselling novels and screenplays. He also gained recognition as a short story writer, with many of his works appearing in prominent magazines and collected in volumes like 'Short Stories: Five Decades'. Shaw passed away in Switzerland in 1984.

Born Irwin Gilbert Shamforoff in New York City, Irwin Shaw was the son of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. He grew up in Brooklyn, later attending Brooklyn College. Shaw began his writing career at the young age of 21 in 1935, initially working on radio scripts for shows such as 'Dick Tracy' and 'Studio One'. His early dramatic work included the play 'Bury the Dead' (1936), an expressionist piece about soldiers who refuse burial after death, and 'Quiet City'. During the 1940s, he contributed to film scripts, including 'The Talk of the Town' and 'The Commandos Strike at Dawn'. Shaw also served during World War II, initially entering the Regular Army before being reassigned to a film unit within the Signal Corps.

Shaw's literary career gained significant momentum with his first novel, 'The Young Lions', published in 1948. This novel, drawing on his wartime experiences, was a critical and commercial success and was later adapted into a film. In the early 1950s, Shaw's involvement in anti-McCarthyism activities, including signing a petition against contempt of Congress convictions and being named in the publication 'Red Channels', led to his inclusion on the Hollywood blacklist. This period marked a significant shift, as he moved to Europe in 1951, residing primarily in Paris and Switzerland for the next 25 years. Despite the blacklist, he continued to write, producing notable novels such as 'The Troubled Air' (1951), 'Lucy Crown' (1956), and the highly successful 'Rich Man, Poor Man' (1970).

While living abroad, Irwin Shaw authored several more bestselling books, including 'Two Weeks in Another Town' (1960) and 'Evening in Byzantium' (1978). 'Rich Man, Poor Man' achieved widespread popularity through a successful television miniseries adaptation in 1976. He also wrote 'The Top of the Hill' (1979), which was adapted into a TV movie. His final novels were 'Bread Upon the Waters' (1981) and 'Acceptable Losses' (1982). Beyond novels, Shaw was highly respected for his short stories, contributing to major publications like 'The New Yorker' and 'Esquire'. A collection of his best short stories was published as 'Short Stories: Five Decades' in 1978. His work earned him accolades such as two O. Henry Awards and three Playboy Awards. Shaw died in Davos, Switzerland, in 1984 at the age of 71.

“Furniture, and a hundred and thirty-seven dollars. His mother had always wanted a good dining-room table. She didn't have a maid, she said, so he ought to get her a dining room table. How many words for a dining-room table?”