Lincoln and the Power of the Press
The War for Public Opinion
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2014.
Format: Book
Edition: First Simon & Schuster hardcover edition.
Description: xxix, 733 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
From his earliest days, Lincoln spoke to the public directly through the press. When war broke out and the nation was tearing itself apart, Lincoln authorized the most widespread censorship in the nation's history, closing down papers that were "disloyal" and even jailing or exiling editors who opposed enlistment or sympathized with secession. The telegraph, the new invention that made instant reporting possible, was moved to the office of Secretary of War Stanton to deny it to unfriendly newsmen. Holzer shows us politicized newspaper editors battling for power, and a masterly president using the press to speak directly to the people and shape the nation.
Contents:
The types are in our glory -- Not like any other thunder -- That attractive rainbow -- A position we cannot maintain -- A mean between two extremes -- The prairies are on fire -- The perilous position of the union -- I can not go into the newspapers -- Lincoln will not talk with anyone -- Wanted: a leader -- Freedom of the press stricken down -- Slavery must go to the wall -- Sitting on a volcano -- No time to read any papers -- Long Abraham a little longer -- Epilogue: We shall not see again the like.
Subjects:
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 -- Relations with journalists.
Press and politics -- United States -- History -- 19th century.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Journalists.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Press coverage.
United States -- Politics and government -- 1861-1865.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 -- Relations with journalists.
Press and politics -- United States -- History -- 19th century.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Journalists.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Press coverage.
United States -- Politics and government -- 1861-1865.
ISBN:
9781439192719 (hardcover)
Includes bibliographical references (pages 665-697) and index.