Editing Henri Nouwen

Jul 5, 2011
by Tom Gallagher

Robert Ellsberg, editor-in-chief of Orbis Books, writes a moving essay about his professional and personal relationship with Henri Nouwen:

Henri Nouwen worked with many editors in his life. As it turned out, I was the last. I would not have foreseen this, 10 years before, when I first brought him the news that I had been offered a job at Orbis Books.

"Well," he said, "if someone were to ask me if you would be good for this job, I would say: 'Intellectually, nobody better; a perfect fit.' But, I don't know whether you have the human gifts for that kind of work -- being able to work with people, you know."

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