The Insider

"Wells has once again broadened the aperture of journalism history to encompass a long-established and vibrant form of journalism on which scholars rarely focus. The wider the lens of journalism history can be, the deeper our understanding of its role will be."—Elliot King, H-Net

"W.M. Kiplinger’s life and work have never been studied in depth by historians of journalism—until now, in a new scholarly book by Professor [Rob] Wells . . . The book focuses on Kiplinger’s work in the 1930s, a chaotic, contentious time in America."—Kiplinger's

“Politico, Axios, and Substack are rightly heralded for offering innovative newsletters, distinguished by insider accounts, smart brevity, and personal voice. But Wells makes a compelling case that The Kiplinger Washington Newsletter combined all these elements in the 1930s. Like its topic, The Insider is insightful, analytical, and highly readable.”—James T. Hamilton, author of Democracy’s Detectives: The Economics of Investigative Journalism

“Kiplinger, his newsletter, and his news coverage were all important in this country’s journalism history and there has been little historical research on them. Drawing on sources that have not previously been used, including company archives and personal letters between Kiplinger and New Deal officials, The Insider is a significant contribution.”—Chris Roush, author of The Future of Business Journalism: Why It Matters for Wall Street and Main Street

“With compelling detail, The Insider tells the story of one of financial journalism’s most important—but elusive—historical figures. Willard Kiplinger forged a unique form of journalism and established a veritable dynasty, yet he has remained largely unknown to media scholars. Rob Wells corrects that with masterful writing and expert analysis. This book is a must-read for historians and anyone interested in understanding a pivotal period for US capitalism.”
—Tracy Lucht, author of Sylvia Porter: America's Original Personal Finance Columnist