While there's no question that LIebling knew his subject -- he covered it for years for the New Yorker -- it's rather hard to warm up to this collection. The sneers are almost audible, those that are directed at newspapers and newspaper owners Liebling doesn't like. Many bon mots in here (like the description of the New York Sun showing up on the World-Telegram's masthead like canary feathers on the chin of a cat), but it doesn't quite balance out the nasty taste of vinegar. ( )