Pulitzer: A Life in Politics, Print, and Power

Don’t be deceived by the photograph on the cover of James McGrath Morris’ new biography Pulitzer: A Life in Politics, Print, and Power. Joseph Pulitzer, founder of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the now defunct New York World, was not a sweet, avuncular character. He was a tough-as-nails political junkie who jumped into media to push his republican – then democratic – agenda and a man who’d stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Twice -- twice! -- he fired a gun at his adversaries and delighted in squashing his competitors even if they were his own flesh and blood. Along the way, Pulitzer became the most powerful publisher in America and a man whose colorful – at times tawdry -- brand of journalism forever changed the industry. Hear more details of Pulitzer, including his early days as a German-language reporter in St. Louis, tonight at 7 p.m. as author Morris reads from his stellar new biography and takes questions at the Left Bank Books in the Central West End (399 North Euclid Avenue; 314-367-6731 or www.left-bank.com). Admission is free, and copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Tue., March 23, 2010