The Evening Star: The Rise and Fall of a Great Washington Newspaper

Librarian Haskins (Behind the Headlines) chronicles Washington D.C.’s Evening Star newspaper in this intelligent though dense history. Chapters focus on themes and events from the paper’s inception in 1852 to its shuttering in 1981, with an emphasis on the editorial decisions behind the coverage. The response to Lincoln’s assassination reveals the workings of a mid-19th-century newsroom, including a chilling eyewitness account from the theater. The paper’s influence is heralded throughout, exemplified by its lobbying for the 23rd Amendment that allowed D.C. citizens to vote for president in 1960. The Star’s progressive but spotty record on race features groundbreaking moments like publishing an NAACP letter during the 1919 race riots, but regrettable practices like running real estate ads that encouraged segregation. A chapter titled “Murder and Mayhem” includes such anecdotes as the reported 1949 story of demonic possession that inspired The Exorcist. The postwar political section details the days after John F. Kennedy’s assassination, highlighting the resilience of both reporters and the Kennedy family. The Vietnam era marked the paper’s final glory days, with reporters like Mary McGrory earning spots on Nixon’s “enemies list.” This astute history serves as a thorough primer on Beltway journalism, but the depth of industry details often overshadows the excitement of the events themselves. (Oct.)