Lincoln said his spiky hair had "a way of getting up in the world".

The author describes Lincoln's attitude in making a deal with a newspaper publisher as, "almost defiant transparency.

Superficial and emotional subject might sway undecided voters.

Looking to advance in journalism, one future editor displayed skilled as varied as economic analysis and humorous commentary.

Public sentiment is everything, said Lincoln. With public sentiment, nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed.

The mid-19th century was noted for a partisan, rather than a consensus press, but this partisanship was able to turn out voters consistently.