Promotional Information

An examination, incorporating research from numerous primary documents, of American colonists' perceptions and opinions about the role of the early American press.

Table of Contents

Preface Introduction: The Role of the Printed Word in Colonial America A Romance with the Printed Word Coaxing Settlement Spreading the Word of God: The Puritans Spreading the Word of God: The Non-Puritans Print and Public Debate "This Is Printed to Prevent False Reports" Problems and Solutions: The Printed Word as Helpful Information Americans and Periodicals: A Fascination with Local Happenings The Printed Word as Entertainment The Printed Word as Advertisement Press Workers' Views: A Clash of Public Ideals and Private Needs Conclusion: The Colonial Press and the American Character References Index

About the Author

JULIE HEDGEPETH WILLIAMS is Assistant Professor at Samford University in Birmingham-Alabama, where she teaches journalism history and media writing. She is the co-author of The Early American Press, 1690-1783 (Greenwood, 1994) which received the Choice Outstanding Academic Book award in 1995.

Reviews

?If a program has an undergraduate or graduate course devoted to the press in early America, this book may be suitable as a text. However, anyone desiring to learn about the printing press and its impact on the development of early America should read this well-written and informative book.?-Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

?Students and scholars of the early history of mass media in the British-American colonies will be interested in this study. Students of early American print culture as well as those interested in a survey of American religion and the mass media will find a clearly written introduction to these areas and primary writings in The Significance of the Printed Word in Early America. The work would help supplement an upper-level undergraduate class as well as graduate survey courses.?-The Eighteenth Century A Current Biography

"If a program has an undergraduate or graduate course devoted to the press in early America, this book may be suitable as a text. However, anyone desiring to learn about the printing press and its impact on the development of early America should read this well-written and informative book."-Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly

"Students and scholars of the early history of mass media in the British-American colonies will be interested in this study. Students of early American print culture as well as those interested in a survey of American religion and the mass media will find a clearly written introduction to these areas and primary writings in The Significance of the Printed Word in Early America. The work would help supplement an upper-level undergraduate class as well as graduate survey courses."-The Eighteenth Century A Current Biography