Description
Book Synopsis: Brown here explores America's first communications revolution--the revolution that made printed goods and public oratory widely available and, by means of the steamboat, railroad and telegraph, sharply accelerated the pace at which information travelled. He describes the day-to-day experiences of dozens of men and women, and in the process illuminates the social dimensions of this profound, far-reaching transformation.
Brown begins in Massachusetts and Virginia in the early 18th century, when public information was the precious possession of the wealthy, learned, and powerful, who used it to reinforce political order and cultural unity. Employing diaries and letters to trace how information moved through society during seven generations, he explains that by the Civil War era, cultural unity had become a thing of the past.
Assisted by advanced technology and an expanding economy, Americans had created a pluralistic information marketplace in which all forms of public communication--print, oratory, and public meetings--were competing for the attention of free men and women. Knowledge is Power provides fresh insights into the foundations of American pluralism and deepens our perspective on the character of public communications in the United States.
Details
Unlock the secrets of early America with Knowledge Is Power: The Diffusion of Information in Early America, 1700-1865. This groundbreaking book takes you on a journey through America's first communications revolution, where the dissemination of printed goods and public oratory changed the course of history. Through captivating stories of men and women of the time, author Brown brings to life the social dimensions of this transformative period. Discover how advancements in technology, such as the steamboat, railroad, and telegraph, revolutionized the speed at which information traveled, ultimately shaping the diverse and pluralistic society we know today.
Join Brown as he unravels the fabric of early American society, starting in Massachusetts and Virginia in the early 18th century. Witness how information was once tightly controlled by the wealthy and powerful, used to uphold political order and cultural unity. Through diaries and letters, you'll trace the fascinating journey of information as it flowed through seven generations, leading up to the era of the Civil War when cultural unity became a thing of the past. Experience how Americans, fueled by technological advancements and a flourishing economy, created a vibrant information marketplace. In this marketplace, all forms of public communication, from print to oratory to public meetings, vied for the attention of free individuals.
Knowledge is Power goes beyond surface-level historical accounts, providing fresh insights into the very foundations of American pluralism. Deepen your understanding of the character of public communications in the United States and gain a new perspective on the society we live in today. Don't miss out on this enlightening journey through time and order your copy of Knowledge Is Power now!
Discover More Best Sellers in Communication & Journalism
Shop Communication & Journalism
Media Audience Research: A Guide for Professionals
$16.32
Communication & Journalism - Media Audience Research: A Guide for Professionals
The Culture of American College Radio
$19.95
Communication & Journalism - The Culture of American College Radio
Electronic Media: Then, Now, and Later
$55.00
Communication & Journalism - Electronic Media: Then, Now, and Later
$35.45
Communication & Journalism - Talking Black and White: An Intercultural Exploration of Twenty-First-Century Racism, Prejudice, and Perception
Loose Leaf for the Art of Public Speaking
$71.49
Communication & Journalism - Loose Leaf for the Art of Public Speaking
