Description
Book Synopsis* The unique perspective of this book comes from its comparative approach. It deals with material from 5 different countries, whereas the competition focuses purely on either the UK or US. * Includes coverage of every main media industry, including the music and advertising industries, which have been neglected in other studies.
Trade Review"The user-friendly text—with ‘summaries’ and ‘conclusions’ at intervals—will help students to think for themselves. Meanwhile, general readers will find this a clear introduction to a field of history too significant to be left solely to the specialists."
Donald Read, English Historical Review "In a feat of compression and erudite conciseness, Comparative Media History ranges across several continents and over two centuries of media history to trace the emergence of current international media institutions from past historical traditions. A brilliant textbook for media students, to be ranked alongside Asa Briggs and Peter Burke’s A Social History of the Media as a key introduction to comparative media studies."
David Finkelstein, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
"Comparing developments in seven media industries, five countries and across time, this invaluable book's depth and scope seem unmatched in its field. The book promises to reshape thinking and become a touchstone for future research in media history. Indeed, rarely has a book come across my desk that seemed so likely to so profoundly affect scholarship in a field".
Hazel Dicken-Garcia, University of Minnesota
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements.
Introduction.
PART 1. ANTECEDENTS, CONTINUITIES AND DISCONTINUITIES.
Chapter 1: Newspapers, Radicalism, Repression and Economic Change, 1789-1847.
Chapter 2: The Focusing of Political Communications and Newspaper Business, 1848-81.
PART 2. POPULARIZATION, INDUSTRIALIZATION AND THE TRIUMPH OF TECHNOLOGY, 1881-1918.
Chapter 3: Commercialization, Consumerism and Technology, 1881-1914.
Chapter 4: Politics, New Forms of Communication and the Globalizing Process, 1881-1918.
PART 3. DISCOVERY AND EXPLOITATION OF THE MASSES FORMULA, 1918-1947.
Chapter 5: The Business and Ideology of Mass Culture, 1918-1939.
Chapter 6: War and Beyond, 1939-1947.
PART 4. THE GLOBAL AGE, 1948-2002.
Chapter 7: Cold War and the Victory of Commercialism, 1948-1980.
Chapter 8: Continuity and Change since 1980.
Notes.
References and Bibliography.
Index
