American Journalism History An Annotated Bibliography

Subjects:

• Communications » Journalism

Awards:

• Choice Outstanding Academic Book, 1989
• ALA/RASD History Section, Best Bibliographies in History, 1990

Reviews:

• Sloan, editor of the history periodical American Journalism and coauthor with J.D. Startt of Historical Methods in Mass Communication (1989), has produced a thoroughly researched and concisely written annotated bibliography of 2,657 articles, books, and dissertations on the history of journalism in America. The introduction sets the scholarly tone of the book, while discussing briefly the various schools of journalism history. According to Sloan, `the primary purpose of this book is to assist historians in their bibliographical searches.' And it does. Most chapters are arranged chronologically (`The Colonial Press, 1690-1765'; `The Antebellum and Civil War Press, 1820-1865'; `Broadcasting, 1920-Present,' etc.); and entries are listed alphabetically by author within chapters. Annotations are brief and generally descriptive. The index, unfortunately, does not include authors or titles, but does contain detailed subject listings. . . . This is destined to be a seminal reference source in history, journalism, and mass communications.
  —Choice
• A compilation of over 2,600 books, dissertations, and scholarly articles, this bibliography is a guide to what the compiler considers the most important works on the history of journalism in America from 1690 to the present. Included are biographical works; histories of newspapers; histories of journalism in specific cities, states, and regions; and analyses of journalism and national events. Arranged chronologically into fourteen phases of journalism history (e.g., Colonial Press, 1690-1765, Age of New Journalism, 1883-1900, Frontier and Regional Journalism, 1800-1900, and Contemporary Media 1945-Present), this work is intended to assist historians in their research by providing not only a bibliographic guide to a body of literature but also brief descriptions of most of the individual works. . . . This bibliography is valuable for its concentration on journalism history in the United States, its chronological categories, and its currency on the topic. Recommended for academic libraries.
  —RQ
• This annotated bibliography includes sixteen separate sections which cover a variety of themes and periods providing information on over 2600 items published between 1810 and 1988. Sloan lists articles, books, reference works, and research guides which discuss all types of print and broadcast journalism. Entries within each section are arranged alphabetically by author.
  —Studies in the American Renaissance

Table of Contents:

• General History of Journalism, 1690-Present
• The Colonial Press, 1690-1765
• The Revolutionary Press, 1765-1783
• The Party Press, 1783-1833
• Freedom of the Press, 1690-1800
• The Penny Press, 1833-1860
• The Antebellum and Civil War Press, 1820-1865
• The Press of the Industrial Age, 1865-1883
• The Age of New Journalism, 1883-1900
• Frontier and Regional Journalism, 1800-1900
• The Emergence of Modern Journalism, 1900-1945
• The Press and the Age of Reform, 1900-1917
• The Media and National Crises, 1917-1945
• Broadcasting, 1920-Present
• The Contemporary Media, 1945-Present
• Research Guides and Reference Works
• Bibliography
• Index