This book chronicles the career of Joseph Wright Alsop, one of the most widely read and influential American newspaper columnists of the post-World War II period. Writing with his brother Stewart for the New York Herald Tribune syndicate from 1946 to 1958, and later as a solo columnist, Alsop’s thrice-weekly “Matter of Fact” column was essential reading for policymakers, opinion leaders, and the public. Edwin Yoder draws on personal acquaintance, manuscript sources, and interviews to paint a vivid portrait of Alsop as both a consummate insider and a diligent reporter. The book details Alsop’s extensive network in Washington, his role in shaping public and elite opinion on Cold War issues, and his sometimes controversial involvement in intelligence and political intrigue. Alsop’s reporting was characterized by a commitment to uncovering new information and a willingness to travel abroad to “smell the weather in the streets,” ensuring his commentary was grounded in firsthand experience. The narrative situates Alsop’s journalism within the broader context of the 1950s, when newspaper commentary stood at the height of its influence and journalists could help shape the direction of national policy.