Mining the deep archives and journalistic expertise of The Newseum in Washington, D.C., Outrage, Passion, and Uncommon Sense looks at seminal events in U.S. history, like women's suffrage, civil rights, or 9/11, through the presentation of important editorials written at the time. Editorials are a unique litmus test of public opinion, and can sway policy and action on particular events. Approximately 50 editorials are excerpted in the book, with pithy analysis by Michael Gartner, one of the most respected figures in journalism. The book also includes about 80 2-color illustrations throughout, some editorial cartoons, some photographs, and some typographic details from period newspapers.

From Michael Gartner:The editorial is the soul of the newspaper. Maybe the heart and the soul. And, in a good newspaper that knows and understands and loves its hometown, or its home country, the editorial is the heart and the soul of the town, or the nation, as well.The editorial writers in this book are of different generations and different beliefs, but they all reported thoroughly, wrote gracefully, and argued passionately. They knew intimately their town - or theirnation, or their world - and they were neither blind boosters nor common scolds. They were people who wanted, and made, a better world.