Tough Tarbell Trivia

[Rob Wick]

Steve,

My references was to the former guy. The term "fake news" would have been unknown to journalism at the time of Tarbell, etc., although it might be under another name, such as yellow journalism.

As to the question regarding Tarbell, I will give one more clue before calling it. The article appeared in June, 1943 just a few months before Tarbell's death in January of 1944.

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

A review of Edna Yost's American Women of Science?

[Rob Wick]

Roger nailed it. Tarbell agreed to review Yost's book even though she was without the services of a secretary and under doctor's orders not to strain herself. She had to write in long-hand, which was hard enough, but given her Parkinson's it took a monumental effort.

Some might question the ethics of Tarbell reviewing Yost's book given that they were very close friends. I will leave that to others to determine.

Best
Rob

[AussieMick]

Some people, real friends, might be too honest when reviewing .

Anyway, this might also be relevant :

https://web.cs.dal.ca/~johnston/poetry/b...enemy.html

[Rob Wick]

Mike,

In my historical methods class that I took back in the olden days, one of the truths that was hammered into our heads was that writing a review of a friend's book is a double-edged sword. If the book is bad and you say it's good, it's hard to prove that the friendship didn't play a role. On the flip side, if the book is good, and in the pursuit of fairness, you give it a harsh review, then that flouts the rules of good scholarship.

The problem as it relates to Lincoln scholarship, at least during Tarbell's time, is that most of them knew each other and most were rivals of one sort or another. Editors, especially in the popular outlets, being extremely short-sighted, chose then based on their reputations, not caring about their personal backgrounds. Much of the time they tried to stay fair, but in many cases it is easy to see where personal feelings weighed in.

I love the remainder poem!

Best'
Rob

[Rob Wick]

Of course Ida Tarbell made most of her money by writing and speaking on the lecture circuit. However, like many celebrities, Tarbell appeared in ads, albeit not very many. Without googling, name two products that Tarbell endorsed?

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

Would cigarettes be one?

[Rob Wick]

Roger, That is a very logical guess, but Tarbell never smoked.

First clue. Neither product can be eaten.

Best
Rob

[Susan Higginbotham]

Typewriters and fountain pens?

[Rob Wick]

Susan got half of it correct. Tarbell did a newspaper ad for Royal Portable typewriters, although she never learned to type until the early 1940s, after World War II made it impossible for her to hire a secretary. Good job Susan!

One more left to go.

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

Was it a household product (like soap, etc.)?

[Rob Wick]

Sorry Roger, but it wasn't the type of product you described.

Best
Rob

[Susan Higginbotham]

An automobile? (Perhaps a Lincoln?)

[Rob Wick]

Wow Susan, you ran the table! It was an automobile, but it was actually a Dodge. Great job!

Best
Rob

[Susan Higginbotham]

Thanks!