Lincoln and the Power of the Press

The War for Public Opinion

By: Harold Holzer

Narrated by: Kevin Foley

From his earliest days, Abraham Lincoln devoured newspapers. As he started out in politics, he wrote editorials and letters to argue his case. He spoke to the public directly through the press. He even bought a German-language newspaper to appeal to that growing electorate in his state. When war broke out and the nation was tearing itself apart, Lincoln authorized the most widespread censorship in the nation's history, closing down newspapers that were "disloyal" and even jailing or exiling editors who opposed enlistment or sympathized with secession. In Lincoln and the Power of the Press, Harold Holzer shows us an activist Lincoln through journalists who covered him from his start to the night of his assassination. In a wholly original way, Holzer shows us politicized newspaper editors battling for power and a masterly president who used the press to speak directly to the people and shape the nation.

©2014 Harold Holzer (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Mr. Holzer's focus is on Lincoln's complex relationship with journalism in an age when increasing literacy, faster printing presses, speedier means of delivery, and the buccaneer entrepreneurship of the nation's first press barons fed public demand for the news." ( Wall Street Journal)

Outstanding!

If you could sum up Lincoln and the Power of the Press in three words, what would they be?

Different, interesting & riveting.

What other book might you compare Lincoln and the Power of the Press to and why?

I wouldn't because it explores Abraham Lincoln from a whole new angle. That is refreshing as Lincoln is a subject that has been extensively written about.

What does Kevin Foley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

An immediacy and voice that is engaging.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the New York newspapers, which were always at odds, united in mourning Lincoln's death.

Any additional comments?

I love Harold Holzer's writing style and his historical research and knowledge are impressive!

Good read for journalism buffs

Wide and deep review of the subject. Medium writing, but the info is important.

Interesting. worth the time.