42 Quotes & Sayings By Harold Holzer

Harold Holzer is the author of several books on famous people. He is also the author of "When Presidents Lie: A History of Presidential Deception and Its Consequences," the definitive work on presidential deception, which has been published in 25 languages, and which is required reading for students in the United States. Mr. Holzer's articles have appeared in numerous periodicals including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The New York Times, and The Washington Post Read more

In addition to his writing, he is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC. He appears frequently on radio and television programs including CNN's "Capital Gang" and "Inside Politics," NPR's "Talk of the Nation," ABC's "This Week," NBC's "Today Show," CBS' "Face the Nation," PBS' "NewsHour," HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," Court TV's "Celebrity Justice," C-SPAN's "Washington Journal," among others.

The author said Frederick Douglass described himself as a
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The author said Frederick Douglass described himself as a "graduate" of slavery with the marks of his diploma on his back. Harold Holzer
Only a writer
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Only a writer "with Bennett's craft and brass could manage to praise and insult his readers at the same time. Harold Holzer
Lincoln on a desire to hear Horace Greeley speak:
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Lincoln on a desire to hear Horace Greeley speak: "In print, every one of his words seems to weigh about a ton. Harold Holzer
At times, said the founder of the Chicago Tribune, Lincoln...
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At times, said the founder of the Chicago Tribune, Lincoln seemed to reach into the clouds and take out the thunderbolts. Harold Holzer
I have not done enough for effect.
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I have not done enough for effect." Horace Greeley Harold Holzer
James Gordon Bennett said he aimed to be,
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James Gordon Bennett said he aimed to be, "serious in my aims but full of frolic in my means. Harold Holzer
Public sentiment is everything, said Lincoln. With public sentiment, nothing...
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Public sentiment is everything, said Lincoln. With public sentiment, nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed. Harold Holzer
The mid-19th century was noted for a partisan, rather than...
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The mid-19th century was noted for a partisan, rather than a consensus press, but this partisanship was able to turn out voters consistently. Harold Holzer
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Superficial and emotional subject might sway undecided voters. Harold Holzer
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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 Harold Holzer
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Lincoln said his spiky hair had "a way of getting up in the world". Harold Holzer
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The press-savy Lincoln looked not to the future, but to the past. Harold Holzer
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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. Harold Holzer
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The author says that though the Mexican War wound down, the interpretation of it was just beginning. Harold Holzer
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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. Harold Holzer
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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. Harold Holzer
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One editor during the Civil War got a grievous message to meet his brothers corpse, only to find out that the telegraph operator had garbled the message to meet his living brother's CORPS. Harold Holzer
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General literature without the humbug, " was the New Yorker's original mission. Harold Holzer
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The Bible and newspapers, to both Lincoln and Greeley, they represented equally compelling gospel. Harold Holzer
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His targets had little in common, other than that they had somehow aroused his enmity. Harold Holzer
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I'm the only English thing they can vent their anger on. Harold Holzer
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The author describes Lincoln's attitude in making a deal with a newspaper publisher as, "almost defiant transparency. Harold Holzer
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Horace Greeley pursues temperance to extravagance." Lord Acton Harold Holzer
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Lincoln bought a German language newspaper. Harold Holzer
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Looking to advance in journalism, one future editor displayed skilled as varied as economic analysis and humorous commentary. Harold Holzer
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Stephen Douglas's oratory was designed for the galleries, Lincoln's for his peers Harold Holzer
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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. Harold Holzer
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Any journalist who holds the office writes in a straitjacket. Harold Holzer
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The letter is too belligerent. If I were you, I would state the facts as they were, without the pepper and salt. Abraham Lincoln Harold Holzer
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Lincoln had an almost childlike habit of regaling visitors with any sharp saying he'd uttered during the day, taking simple-hearted pleasure in some of his best hits. Harold Holzer
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A rival editor in Philadelphia said that the spreading railroad network carried "New York everywhere" in terms of the city's predominant influence. Harold Holzer
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John Hay calls the telegraph reporter, "the natural enemy of the scribe. Harold Holzer
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One paper boasted that its subscription and advertising numbers proved that America did not need the social change it rival paper advocated. Harold Holzer
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Lincoln jibed that a general INVADED Canada without resistance and out-vaded it without pursuit. Harold Holzer
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A writer at the time said, "Lincoln means to sink the man in the public officer. Harold Holzer
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Samuel FB Morse's SECOND question over the telegraph was, "Have you any news? Harold Holzer
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The author observers that better technology actually increased division because rival outlets funded by rival parties could get their slant to the partisans Harold Holzer
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No greater mistake can be made than to assume that newspapers are correct indices of public opinion. Harold Holzer
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Horace Greeley's conversation inevitably becomes a speech. Harold Holzer
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One writer may speak of something more lasting than Horace Greeley when he writes of that editor that his secular philanthropy drifted into autocratic ambition. Harold Holzer
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The infant New York Times boasted that no newspaper printing what was really worth reading ever perished for lack of readers. Harold Holzer