McCormick: The Power and the Story

He has been described as one of the most powerful, feared, vilified and important men of the 20th century. Col. Robert R. McCormick, the bigger-than-life editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune--the self-proclaimed World’s Greatest Newspaper--died in 1955 at age 75.

Historian Richard Norton Smith brings the flamboyant press lord back to life in the first full-scale biography of a man whose influence extended far beyond his baronial office in Tribune Tower, the imposing Gothic skyscraper that Smith calls “the presbytery of Midwestern conservatism.”

Smith will discuss “The Colonel: The Life and Legend of Robert R. McCormick (Houghton Mifflin, $35) at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Richard Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda.

Labeled a kook by some, McCormick referred to Wisconsin as “the nuttiest state in the union” and Madison, its capital, as “New Leningrad.” He punished the Rhode Island Legislature for ignoring his editorial advice by having the state removed from Tribune maps and having a star cut from the American flag in the Tribune lobby.

The contentious McCormick was anti-British, anti-New Deal and, most especially, anti-Franklin Roosevelt, whom he called a Communist. As Smith writes, “McCormick needed enemies, it seemed, the way most men need friends.”

McCormick also fought a fierce battle to defend the right of newspapers to publish free of government restraint and was, according to Smith, “the last publisher to pursue duty at the expense of profits.”

Smith, a Harvard graduate who wrote speeches for President Reagan, Vice President Dan Quayle, former Sen. Bob Dole and other leading Republicans, is director of the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Smith’s lecture is $6; a lunch with the author at noon is $44. A book signing will follow the lecture, but personally inscribed books can be ordered through the library gift shop before the event. For more information, call (714) 993-5075.

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A Regional Author Day will be held beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble in Metro Pointe, 901 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa.

Authors who will sign their books include Laurey Venn and Bev Gillett, “One Day Self-Guided Tours in Southern California”; Greg Lee, “The Best of Orange County California”; Susan Peterson, “Fun and Educational Places to Go With Kids in Southern California”; Steve Simon, “Orange County: Through an Artist’s Eye”; and Lou Ann W. Murray, “Southern California: A Selection of Romantic Getaways.”

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Edward Hume, author of “No Matter How Loud I Shout: A Year in the Life of Juvenile Court,” will discuss his book at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at UC Irvine.

Hume’s lecture will include a discussion of effective and humane ways to handle juvenile offenders. A 7 p.m. book signing will precede the talk in the College of Medicine’s Nelson Auditorium. Free. For more information, call (714) 824-8140.

Also this week:

* Crystal Cathedral pulpit guest Blaine Lee, author of “The Power Principle,” will sign copies of his book today between the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services at the church, 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove.

* Barbara Saltzman, whose late son David wrote and illustrated “The Jester Has Lost His Jingle,” will read at 11 a.m. today at Crown Books, 8176 E. Santa Ana Canyon Drive, Anaheim Hills, and at 12:30 p.m. today at Crown Books, 391 State College Blvd., Brea. She also will read at 3 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble, 26751 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo.

* Thom Elkjer, author of “Hook, Line & Murder,” will sign at 1 p.m. today at Upchurch-Brown Booksellers, 384 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach.

* Julie Mammano, author of “Rhinos Who Snowboard,” will read and sign at 2 p.m. today at Barnes & Noble in Fashion Island, 953 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

* Poet Curt Last will read at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Gypsy Den Cafe and Reading Room in the Lab, 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

* Orange Coast College librarian Debbie Webb and Newport Beach bookseller Irma Wolfson will discuss new books at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Lido Isle Clubhouse, 701 Via Lido Soud, Lido Isle, Newport Beach. $5 for nonmembers. For reservations, call (714) 432-5087.

* Poets Roger Aplon, Stephanie Brown and Diane Dorman will read at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Crown Valley Library, 30341 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel.

* Joy Nicholson, author of “The Tribes of Palos Verdes,” will read and discuss her critically acclaimed coming-of-age novel at 2 p.m. Saturday at Latitude 33 Bookshop, 311 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach.

* Shirley Climo, author of “Treasury of Mermaids,” will sign at 11 a.m. Saturday at Whale of Tale Children’s Bookstore, 4187 Campus Drive, Irvine.

* Felice Dunas, author of “Passion Play: Ancient Secrets for a Lifetime of Health and Happiness Through Sensational Sex,” will speak and sign at 7 p.m. Saturday at B. Dalton Booksellers, 2967 Michelson Drive, Irvine.

Send information about book-related events at least 10 days before event to Dennis McLellan, O.C. Books & Authors, Life & Style, The Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.