“Smith has unearthed a gem of media history.” – Dr. Stephen Perry, editor of “Mass Communication and Society” and Professor of Communication, Illinois State U

“Thoroughly analyzes the context within which journalism’s version of ‘John Henry’ was played out with nary a witness. Harrington’s character is revealed humanly with neither romanticism nor cynicism.” – Dr. Richard K. Olsen, Chair, Communication Studies, U of North Carolina, Wilmington

“A well-researched and well-written story of a little-known but compelling aspect of the history of journalism, an ode to handwriting as a unique form of communication and a fascinating case study.” – Dr. Elliot King, Professor of Communication, Loyola U Maryland

“Smith explores Harrington the reporter, poet, political commentator, and wit, illuminating a corner of Civil War era North Carolina that few have visited.” – Dr. John P. Ferre’, Associate Dean of Arts & Sciences, U of Louisville

“Smith’s careful reading of North Carolina’s freehand publisher extends our understanding of how the news got out in a time of unparalleled national peril.” – Dr. Bruce J. Evensen, Director, MA in Journalism Program, DePaul U

“This wonderfully written story captures Harrington as a citizen journalist, aggregator, poet, politico, and scribe. It will be of lively interest to historians of communication, newspapers, the Civil War, and Southern culture.” – Dr. James T. Hamilton, Charles S. Sydnor Professor of Public Policy, and Director, DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy, Duke U

“A fascinating and comprehensively documented discussion of North Carolina newspapers handwritten by a maverick, Civil War era journalist. Smith perceptively analyzes the underappreciated value of print journalism without a printing press.” – Dr. Douglas S. Campbell, Lock Haven U of PA, author “The Supreme Court and the Mass Media” and “Free Press v. Fair Trial”

“Highly readable and reveals a part of American journalism that needs to come to light. Harrington’s free press shows the spirit of a vibrant medium with the power to shape America’s future.” – Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, Director, Professional Writing Division, Taylor U

“The book shows that Harrington’s papers are an early form of blogging and New Journalism which involved the readers in bridging the oral and literary traditions in the two-year prelude to the Civil War.” – Dr. Paul Alfred “Alf” Pratte, Emeritus Professor of Journalism, Brigham Young U

Unsolicited endorsements

• From Avery Anderson January 10, 2012,  ”Thank you so much for being a wonderful professor, you truly were my favorite for all three semesters I spent at CU.  Thanks for caring and I’m sad that I won’t have you as a teacher/advisor for the next two and a half years. I wish you the best!”
• From Lauren Henry June 8, 2011, “I wanted to take a moment to thank you for teaching at the coarse in NYC. I thoroughly enjoyed learning the craft of convergence media while exploring NYC. Thank you for providing such an interesting educational course . . . You were instrumental in my education. Thank you.”
• From Dori Staehle, education coach, on May 31, 2011 following the writing camp, “I did enjoy your presentations . . . I wish my professors were that interesting and funny.” In mid-May Dori and Mark Staehle also sent me a Thank You card, writing, “Thanks for all your support and encouragement for Evan! We really appreciate all you’ve done over the years.”
• Student Lindsay Burkholder sent this message via Twitter on May 21, 2011 following a week of training: “Thanks a bunch @MichaelRaySmith! It was great being able to learn from you and to listen to your wise words.”
• From graduate Campbell University graduate 2010 Lisa Pippens May 21, 2011 via Facebook, “I so miss the classes I did take with you . . . and now wish I would have actually had more since your classes are some of the ones I enjoyed the most.”
• From Campbell University junior Rosella Age, May 15, 2011, “I would like you to know that your class was the first class that actually taught me how to think, which is a relief. Yes, I’m talking about the linkage. I realized that I had learned something invaluable when I began applying the linking of thoughts and concepts in other classes, and then in everyday life. This is the kind of stuff people want to take from college, not ‘why were multi-player games on the internet so popular.’ Just saying.”