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Highlights in the History of the American Press
A Book of Readings
Edwin H. Ford and Edwin Emery, Editors
University of Minnesota Press, 1954

Highlights in the History of the American Press was first published in 1954. Minnesota Archive Editions uses digital technology to make long-unavailable books once again accessible, and are published unaltered from the original University of Minnesota Press editions.

The articles collected in this volume present a vivid panorama of American journalistic history from its antecedents in the English ballad singers to the press giants of modern times. Since there is probably no single force that has played a greater role in the history of America than its newspapers, the history of journalism tells, in large measure, the story of this country's political, social, and economic development. Therefore, this book of readings offers much to the students of the American scene, past and present, whether they are general readers or specialists in journalism, history, American studies, or any of the social sciences.

The 27 articles included here have been chosen particularly for their readability and authenticity. They are by many different writers and are from a wide variety of periodicals published over the past 100 years. They are arranged according to six historical periods, covering the rise of the English press, the Colonial press, the nationalistic press of Revolutionary times, the popular press of the Jacksonian democracy, the transition press following the Civil War, and the modern era of mass circulation. An introductory essay for each group of articles places the individual studies in historical perspective and examines briefly the journalistic events not covered in detail by the articles themselves. The article authors include such notable names in American letters as Gamaliel Bradford, Will Irwin, William Allen White, John Dos Passos, and Henry F. Pringle.

The coherent presentation of this diverse material should help anyone interested in the American newspaper get a better view of its broad scope, its lively color, and its profound influence on the course of history.

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History of the American Newspaper Publishers Association
Edwin Emery, Editor
University of Minnesota Press, 1950

History of the American Newspaper Publishers Association was first published in 1950. Minnesota Archive Editions uses digital technology to make long-unavailable books once again accessible, and are published unaltered from the original University of Minnesota Press editions.

The dramatic story of the association that for sixty-three years has held a position of major importance in the development of our free press. For the first time the full story of the activities of this influential daily newspaper trade association is told by a scholar who was given access to the association's files of publications.

The story of the ANPA is primarily one of the advancement of the business interests of daily newspapers and of resulting conflicts and adjustments with labor unions, communications competitors, advertisers, newsprint makers, and the government. The author analyzes these areas of activity and integrates the history of the ANPA with the economic, political, and social developments that have transformed America and its daily newspapers since 1887.

Of major interest and importance is the discussion of the labor relations policy of the daily newspapers who are ANPA members.

Other major topics include the association's opposition to federal legislation which the ANPA asserted imperiled the freedom of the press; the association's battles to eliminate tariff charges on newsprint and to maintain favorable postal rates; competition with radio, magazines, and other communications media; business problems of daily newspapers in the field of advertising; and mechanical developments which have revolutionized the printing industry.

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