Summary

Malcolm meets with Jeffrey Elliot, a writer and professor of African American literature, who was preparing a book about the MacDonald case and had appeared at the McGinniss-MacDonald trial to testify against McGinniss’s ethics as a writer. Elliot is totally opposed to the “ruthless expediency” of writers like McGinniss, Buckley, and Wambaugh. He testified this method of interview lacks integrity and professionalism. When cross-examined about an interview he did with Fidel Castro, Elliot admitted he would avoid telling someone like Castro he was wholly opposed to everything he stood for but would not refrain from asking questions or being confrontational just for the sake of the interview. Malcolm remarks it is rare to meet someone as restrained as Elliot is. She notes he presents no gestures of affability and refrains from all friendly overtures. However, due to his profession and his own...