To Nudge the World: Conversation, community and the role of the local newspaper

by Jim Slusher

Collected columns by Daily Herald columnist Jim Slusher

210 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Ralph B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a book of essays, this collection of "Letters to Readers" covers topics in 2 pages or fewer of the thinking that is involved in the production of a daily newspaper. Author Jim Slusher selects among the hundreds of columns he wrote from 1999 until the 2020s each of which reflects on some aspect of the news business.

Unlike a newspaper ombudsman who responds to reader complaints with explanations of specific editorial decision, Slusher writes several steps removed from the daily grind of reporting, editing, copyreading, photography and page placement of stories in a newspaper covering daily news. Basically essays, these columns are loosely organized into "chapters" under headings like "Sensitivity" "Rough Drafts," and "Sense of Community."

As a columnist for the local metro daily for the past 5+ years, this book resonated with me and was inspiring. I found that reading 2-3 columns at a time, versus an entire chapter, was the right pace needed to absorb the author's points.

[Keith Raffel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admired Mr. Slusher's wordcraft, his ability to enable the reader to see things as he does, and most of all his judiciousness. He looks out at this frustrating, wonderful world in which we live and doesn't start ranting or preaching. He provides insight, not rhetoric. He looks at matters big and small with the same clear-eyed wisdom.

An added bonus was his ability to foresee the future. For example, a 2009 column included these words: "Bankruptcy, as Lee Iacocca, Donald Trump, United Airlines and many other examples have taught us, is not necessarily a precursor to ruin. It can be part of a process of rebuilding." Ha!