Book Talk on Southern News, Southern Politics: How a Newspaper Defined a State for a Century by Rob Christensen

In his newest book, Southern News, Southern Politics, Rob Christensen tells the story of the News & Observer and how it helped shape modern North Carolina in complex ways. The book is also the story of a family dynasty: four generations of the Daniels family owned and operated the N&O. They not only helped elect governors but also played an influential role in national American politics—family members served as political lieutenants to William Jennings Bryan, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, and Harry Truman.

Christensen takes readers from the N&O’s early days at the turn of the twentieth century as the militant voice of white supremacy to its denunciation by segregationist Jesse Helms for “selling out the South” in the 1960s, and finally to its current dwindling fortunes. By telling the story of one important regional newspaper, Christensen shows how influence and messaging affect the politics of a state and a region for generations.

Rob Christensen retired from The News & Observer in December 2018, after writing about North Carolina politics as a reporter and a columnist for 45 years. He has appeared on more than 600 TV or radio programs as a political analyst including the CBS Evening News, CNN’s Inside Politics, MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews, ABC’s Nightline, Fox News and various PBS programs.

He has contributed chapters to five books on North Carolina and the South. His first solo book, The Paradox of Tar Heel Politics (UNC Press) was judged the best work of non-fiction by a North Carolinian in 2008 by the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association. A recent book, The Rise and Fall of the Branchhead Boys, was published by UNC Press in May 2019. His latest book is entitled Southern News, Southern Politics: How a Newspaper Defined a State for a Century. Christensen will sign copies of his book at the event.

No refunds will be issued unless we must cancel the event.