Writers who used to show off their erudition no longer sing in the bare ruined choir of the media.

Another book on language was The New Language of Politics (1968) which developed into what Zimmer called Safire's "magnum opus" Safire's Political Dictionary. Life and career
Safire was born William Lewis Safir in New York City New York the son of Ida (née Panish) and Oliver Craus Safir. His family was Jewish and originated in Romania on his father's side.

William Lewis Safire (/ˈsæfaɪər/; December 17 1929 – September 27 2009) was an American author columnist journalist and presidential speechwriter.