This biography of the controversial Chicago Tribune editor and publisher portrays McCormick as a self-proclaimed emperor of Chicago who despised New York City and distrusted life outside the American heartland. The book is reprinted from its original publication in 1997. Drawing on years of research and McCormick's personal papers, Smith (director, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, U. of Kansas) follows McCormick's life (1880-1955) and details the tangled web of political muscle and blatant bias McCormick wielded via the Tribune. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)