NH Booksellers: A Passion for Journalism: A newspaper editor writes to his readers.

Jim Smith wrote these columns to the readers of the Record-Journal in Meriden, Conn., but the place and issues could be Anywhere USA. His writings, said the judges for the American Society of Newspaper Editors Distinguished Writing Award, are "classic small-town editor facing challenges from powers unappreciative of the role of journalism in their community."

Smith, now the editor of the Connecticut Post in Bridgeport, writes on such topics as, "No secrecy needed in free society," "We're all hunting for the truth,"Religion as a weapon," and "Messenger's plea: Don't shoot."

Introduction by William Breisky, retired editor of The Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, Mass.