From Butler to Buffett

In 1873, a twenty-three-year-old entrepreneur named Edward H. Butler arrived in Buffalo, New York, to found a newspaper eventually called "The Buffalo Evening News. Under Butler's aegis the "News became one of the most successful newspapers in America, growing along with the thriving city at the end of the Erie Canal, which was expanding rapidly as immigrants poured in and America urbanized. About a century later, in 1977, Warren E. Buffett, recognizing the value of the paper, bought "The Buffalo Evening News, and to this day, despite competition from large media conglomerates, "The Buffalo News (as it is now called) remains a successful independent publication. There is no better person to tell the story of the "News than Murray B. Light, who held senior editorial positions at the paper for over 30 years. Beginning with the founding of the newspaper by Butler, Light provides a wealth of historical information and many in-depth, behind-the-scenes profiles of key persons who influenced, the course of the paper. Chief among these is founder Edward H. Butler, a dynamo of energy, whose enthusiasm, innovation, and high standards are still felt to this day. His son, Edward Butler Jr., also played an important role, extending the reach of the "News into radio and television. Almost as influential as the senior Butler was Alfred H. Kirchhofer, whose workaholic personality, staunch Republican Party connections, and active involvement in the Buffalo community became legendary. Regarding the current owner, Warren Buffett, Light has many interesting insights into his famous low-key, hands-off style of management. He assumed ownership of the "News at a critical time, bolstering its financialstrength while encouraging complete editorial independence. Light also devotes a chapter to current publisher Stanford Lipsey, a longtime associate of Buffett, highlighting his leadership in the wake of the bitter court dispute with the "Courier Express. Along the way Light offers