Michael Gartner Reading
Michael Gartner reads from and discusses his book, Outrage, Passion, and Common Sense. Gartner, who himself won the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing, discusses the great newspaper editors and editorials of the age. Gartner claims that, although times have changed, many of the issues that garner editorials are still the same; he cites Horace Greeley’s editorial from the 1850’s addressing religion in public schools as an example.
Gartner goes on to outline the careers of the men he considers to be the top four editors of all time: Horace Greeley, Henry Watterson, William Allen White, and Vermont Connecticut Royster. He also details a few of the most “eloquent” editorials ever written, including editorials concerning the American Civil and Vietnam Wars, the Dred Scott Decision, and various presidential elections.
During a question and answer period, Gartner considers the quality of contemporary editorials, claiming that “I think the supply of great editorials is dwindling.” He cites the current trend toward chain ownership of newspapers as the main cause for the lower quality of today’s editorials. Gartner goes on to discuss the best piece of advice concerning editorial writing that he has ever received: “Give the other side the space, and your side the thought.” Gartner closes by describing his experience winning the Pulitzer Prize.
In: "Live from Prairie Lights" Audio Archive | Journalism
Authors: Michael Gartner
Date Recorded: December 05, 2005
Works Read: Outrage, Passion, and Uncommon Sense: How Editorial Writers Have Taken on the Great American Issues of the Past 150 Years, by Michael Gartner
Program: Live From Prairie Lights
Format: reading
Contributors: Introduction by host Julie Englander.
Topics: journalism, editorials, Horace Greeley, Henry Watterson, William Allen White, Vermont Connecticut Royster