By reviewing personal correspondence, biographies, newspaper coverage of the 1940s, and interviews, this survey examines Wendell Willkie's relations with the press in general and with publishers John Cowles and Gardner (Mike) Cowles in particular. Divided into four parts, the survey begins with a review of the correspondence between Willkie and such journalists as Marquis Childs, Drew Pearson, and Arthur Krock, illuminating relationships between the press and public figures in the 1940s. The second section focuses primarily on the relations between Willkie and the Cowles brothers in their efforts to win for Willkie the Republican nomination and the presidency in 1940 and the nomination again in 1944. In this context, consideration is given to how the Cowles brothers managed their potentially conflicting roles as publishers and would-be president makers. Part 3 considers the 1942 "One World" trip--the 49-day around-the-world diplomatic tour that Willkie took with Mike Cowles--further examining how Cowles handled the often simultaneous roles as journalist, government official, and close friend and supporter of a presidential candidate. Finally, the fourth section provides discussion, conclusions, and recommendations for future research in this area. (A list of 123 footnotes is appended.) (MM)