Enemies, a Love Story

Roger Ebert, film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, and Gene Siskel, film critic for the Chicago Tribune, started out as newspaper enemies, each one trying to bludgeon the other in print with pointed barbs or exclusive interviews with Hollywood royalty.  The competition continued when someone had the bright idea to put the two of them together on television to critique the coming attractions.  


In the process of becoming legendary, they also came to know and love each other while continuing to put a stick in the eye.  


This is their funny and engaging story, as told by scores of people who were involved with them and their show over the years.  In the end they stood tallest when they stood together.


"Enemies, A Love Story" is published for e-readers by Now and Then Reader, Digital Publishers of Serious Nonfiction.    The piece originally appeared in print form in the first issue of the newly launched magazine, "The Chicagoan."


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Josh Schollmeyer is an executive editor at Playboy. He won a National Magazine Award as an editor at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.  He lives in Chicago.