Encyclopedia of Media and Propaganda in Wartime America
by Martin J. Manning and Clarence R. Wyatt, Editors
December 2010, 860pp, 7x10
2 volumes, ABC-CLIO

Hardcover: 978-1-59884-227-2
$208, £160, 181€, A285
eBook Available: 978-1-59884-228-9
Please contact your preferred eBook vendor for pricing.

How successful would colonial leaders have been in establishing the United States without the newspapers and broadsides of the day? What effect did Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst have on the Spanish-American War? What influence have embedded reporters and in-country Internet blogs had on perceptions of the war in Iraq? This fascinating study answers these questions and more.

This fascinating compilation of reference entries documents the unique relationship between mass media, propaganda, and the U.S. military, a relationship that began in the period before the American Revolution and continues to this day—sometimes cooperative, sometimes combative, and always complex.

The Encyclopedia of Media and Propaganda in Wartime America brings together a group of distinguished scholars to explore how war has been reported and interpreted by the media in the United States and what effects those reports and interpretations have had on the people at home and on the battlefield.

Covering press–U.S. military relationships from the early North American colonial wars to the present wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, this two-volume encyclopedia focuses on the ways in which government and military leaders have used the media to support their actions and the ways in which the media has been used by other forces with different views and agendas. The volumes highlight major events and important military, political, and cultural players, offering fresh perspectives on all of America’s conflicts. Bringing these wars together in one source allows readers to see how media affected the conflicts individually, but also understand how the use of the various forms of media (print, radio, television, film, and electronic) have developed and changed over the years.

Features

  • Introductory essays describe the types of media most important to each conflict period, how they were used, by whom, and to what effect
  • A general essay outlines how media has been used to spread messages about conflicts throughout U.S. history
  • Photographs and illustrations add an important visual element
Martin J. Manning is a librarian in the Bureau of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC, where he is curator of the United States Information Agency (USIA) archives. His published works include Greenwood's Historical Dictionary of American Propaganda.

Clarence R. Wyatt is the Pottinger Professor of History and special assistant to the president at Centre College, Danville, KY. His published works include Paper Soldiers: The American Press and the Vietnam War, and he has contributed many essays to collections on the Vietnam War.

Reviews

"A solid, quick reference for general readers and casual history buffs with an interest in this facet of wartime history."—Library Journal, March 15, 2011

"A good ready-reference source for readers wanting a brief overview of an important historical topic . . . this set’s focus on this specialized topic makes it unique and recommended for academic and large public libraries."—Booklist, May 1, 2011

"Entries are informative and generally provide expansive explanations of the people and events involved. . . . Recommended." —Choice, July 1, 2011
?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Accept All Cookies | Decline.
×