Jim Newton is an accomplished journalist and biographer with a distinguished career spanning decades. He serves as editor at large of the Los Angeles Times, where he writes a weekly column on Southern California politics and policy. Newton has authored several critically acclaimed biographies, including "Justice for All: Earl Warren and the Nation He Made," "Eisenhower: The White House Years," and a forthcoming work titled "Here Beside the Rising Tide," which explores Jerry Garcia's life alongside 1960s counterculture history. His collaborative work includes co-authoring former CIA director Leon Panetta's memoir.
Newton began his career as a reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution before joining the Los Angeles Times in 1989, where he held various roles including bureau chief and editorial page editor. His reporting contributed to Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of major events such as the 1992 Los Angeles riots and the 1994 earthquake. Known for his meticulous research and narrative depth, Newton specializes in political biographies that examine influential figures and their historical contexts. His works on Earl Warren and Dwight Eisenhower became bestsellers, praised for their insightful analysis of leadership and governance.
Currently, Newton teaches at UCLA while continuing his editorial work as editor of Blueprint magazine. His upcoming biography of Jerry Garcia, scheduled for release in August 2025, marks his first foray into cultural history while maintaining his signature biographical approach. Throughout his career, Newton has received numerous awards for both his journalism and literary contributions, solidifying his reputation as a leading voice in political writing and historical biography.