In colonial times, the town crier was the most reliable source of news and information after the gossip you heard over your backyard fence. Of course, without the strictures of journalistic integrity, it is hard to say whether the news would be any more accurate or useful than the gossip. American literary critic and commentator for The New Yorker Magazine, Alexander Woollcott still chose the town crier as the inspiration for his radio commentary. Woollcott had no problem using his forum to promote books he liked, especially this he had written himself. The tactic made his While Rome Burns a best seller. Click here to read more about Alexander Woollcott Town Crier