The Conscience of a City and a Nation: Paul Block Jr., the Toledo Blade, and the Shaping of Midcentury America

The Conscience of a City and a Nation is the first comprehensive biography of Paul Block Jr., son of a publishing giant who owned newspapers across the United States.Block was passionate about studying chemistry, which he studied at Columbia and Yale.However, following his father’s death, he stepped in to help run papers the Blocks owned in Pittsburgh and Toledo.Eventually, Block and his family relocated to Toledo, one of Ohio’s up-and-coming cities. After working to gain respect from his colleagues at The Blade, Block became well known for his commitment to unbiased journalism.This book traces his long career-dispatches sent from a World War II battlefield, his work on the Toledo Tomorrow project, and his advocacy for civil rights and social justice.During a turbulent time in American history, Block was unafraid to champion causes he believed in. While Block was successful in business, he struggled with his role as a father and husband.David M. Murray masterfully highlights these comp