
A lively memoir unfolds through the eyes of a seasoned reporter who once roamed Washington’s bustling salons and congressional corridors. He paints vivid portraits of larger‑than‑life figures—an outspoken senator, a charismatic New England diplomat, and a charismatic hostess whose Sunday gatherings became the hub of political discourse. The narrative captures the sharp wit, heated debates, and personal rivalries that defined the capital’s social scene in the post‑Civil War years.
In later chapters the author turns to his deep friendship with a German‑American statesman whose love of piano music and plain‑spoken oratory left a lasting impression. Their shared adventures, from campaign strategy meetings to intimate evenings in a well‑stocked library, reveal the human side of a turbulent era. Listeners will discover a richly detailed portrait of 19th‑century American politics, told with humor, candor, and an earnest affection for the characters who shaped it.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (322K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Curtis A. Weyant and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
Release date
2005-07-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1840–1921
A fiery newspaper editor and gifted political writer, he helped shape public opinion in Kentucky and beyond for decades after the Civil War. Best known for leading the Louisville Courier-Journal, he mixed sharp journalism with a talent for memorable speeches and essays.
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