A study of the history and role of the American newspaper, from Boston's first broadside in 1689 to today's huge monopolies and giant newspaper chains. The author traces the problems of control and freedom of the press, the development of the newspaper as an instrument of propaganda, the growth of journalism as a business.

"Suggested reading": pages 269-274.

pt. 1. The newspaper as propaganda. The colonial press: license and freedom ; Newspapers in the Revolution ; Weapons in the great debate ; Party and press: the alliance ends -- pt. 2. The newspaper as personal instrument. The giants of New York ; Public service in the Middle West ; The voice of the South ; The sensational West ; Pulitzer and Hearst: the last great duel -- pt. 3. The newspaper as business institution. Passing of the old order ; The rise of chain journalism ; The rise and fall of country newspapers ; The crisis of the newspaper business.