Harold Holzer

“General literature without the humbug," was the New Yorker's original mission.”

“Only a writer "with Bennett's craft and brass could manage to praise and insult his readers at the same time.”

“I have not done enough for effect." Horace Greeley”

“President-elect Lincoln to his confidants: "The people of the South do not know us. They are not allowed to receive Republican papers down there.”

“We need to know not only what is done but what is purposed and said by those who shape the destines of states and realms." Horace Greeley”

“At times, said the founder of the Chicago Tribune, Lincoln seemed to reach into the clouds and take out the thunderbolts.”

“Feeling its power, one Civil War paper trumpeted that Milton and Homer were for another age but for this one was the New York Herald.”

“The Bible and newspapers, to both Lincoln and Greeley, they represented equally compelling gospel.”

“Public sentiment is everything, said Lincoln. With public sentiment, nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed.”

“Looking to advance in journalism, one future editor displayed skilled as varied as economic analysis and humorous commentary.”

“The letter is too belligerent. If I were you, I would state the facts as they were, without the pepper and salt. Abraham Lincoln”

“The author said Frederick Douglass described himself as a "graduate" of slavery with the marks of his diploma on his back.”

“Horace Greeley pursues temperance to extravagance." Lord Acton”

“The author says that though the Mexican War wound down, the interpretation of it was just beginning.”

“One of Lincoln's intimates as a presidential candidate urged him to make no promises and not to part with those kind words which could be interpreted as promises.”

“Lincoln bought a German language newspaper.”

“The author describes Lincoln's attitude in making a deal with a newspaper publisher as, "almost defiant transparency.”

“A female war correspondent so popular that she had some credibility in saying she controlled half of her newspaper's circulation approached General Winfield Scott during the Mexican War with information that could help him. He was unwilling to get help from someone in petticoats.”

“James Gordon Bennett said he aimed to be, "serious in my aims but full of frolic in my means.”

“The press-savy Lincoln looked not to the future, but to the past.”