When Ben Hibbs became editor of the Saturday Evening Post in 1942, he initiated changes in content, philosophy, and appearance that not only restored the ailing magazine to its former glory but profoundly affected the character and philosophy of the American people. During his nearly twenty years at the Post, Hibbs molded the publication to fit his own beliefs and to appeal to a mass audience, which he instinctively identified as traditional, family oriented, God-fearing, hardworking, patriotic, middle-class, and mostly Republican. Hibbs's instincts were right. During his tenure Post circulation climbed from 3.5 million to more than 7 million; advertising revenues soared to all-time highs. Hibbs produced a quality publication, and in the process the Saturday Evening Post became as much a symbol of the American way of life as the flag, apple pie, and motherhood.

Benjamin Smith Hibbs was born in Fontana, Kansas, on 23 July 1901 and was the second of...