leading national political reporters of his era, Perry refrained from personal publicity (including television appearances). Perry avoided developing personal relationships with the leaders he reported upon—believing such relationships were contrary to the proper role and perspective of a journalist. Although most of his career was at prominent conservative publications, Perry, himself, was not overtly partisan. However, Perry distrusted and decried ignorance in leaders, journalists and voters, particularly any lack of political literacy or ignorance of history (especially political history). Other writings Perry was an early inside analyst and public critic of the U.S. journalistic establishment. He wrote books about the shortcomings of the media, about how poll-driven marketing reshaped American politics, and about costly fiascoes in the military throughout history. As an amateur historian and as an enthusiast about topics of the U.S. Civil War, Perry returned to book-writing toward the end of his career with the Journal. Following his retirement from the Journal, Perry was a blogger, and wrote commentary on various topics—some of which has been used in journalism courses. For the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he wrote various columns on political and social topics—titled "Perry on Politics"—and a detailed remembrance of the Kennedy assassination. Retirement years Perry retired to Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Glenora, New York. He died November 23, 2016—reportedly from complications of heart and vascular disease—at a hospital in Washington, D.C. (one source says Chevy Chase), at age 89. Recognition Fourth Estate Award for lifetime achievement, 1997, National Press Club Perry's works are recommended reading by various academic institutions, including: the Columbia School of Journalism; the United States Army War College. Dickinson College; Books Barry Goldwater: A New Look at a Presidential Candidate, (1964: National Observer) The New Politics: The Expanding Technology of Political Manipulation (1968) – an analysis of how modern campaign-management professionals, pollsters and data processors, produce impersonal-but-targeted campaigns, fundamentally altering modern politics. Us & Them: How the Press Covered the 1972 Election (1973), analysis of media folly on the campaign trail—ridiculing media preoccupation with trivia and insider stories, while missing major economic and other forces actually shaping election outcomes. Arrogant Armies: Great Military Disasters and the Generals Behind Them (1996) -- analyzed the loss of life resulting from reckless military adventurism over many centuries, criticizing nearly every major power for reckless, overconfident assumptions, defective intelligence and political bumbling. A Bohemian Brigade: The Civil War Correspondents Mostly Rough, Sometimes Ready (2000) -- analysis of the