Major case study of an American newspaper, focusing upon all
departments, with emphasis upon management. This 140,000-word study and
media analysis of not only one newspaper but of the entire industry
serves as a base for understanding what has happened to American
newspapers during the past decade, and projects the future of the
newspaper within American society.
PRE-PUBLICATION REVIEWS:
John Rippey, head, Department of Journalism, Penn State University :
"I think the book would be a significant contribution to the field . . .
. It presents new information ... in demographics, economics, and in
some respects, in changed reading needs and desires. It is a story about
a 1980s-1990s-newspaper environment. Brasch's scholarship is sound. . .
The book goes far beyond a critique of editorial content, which is
usually the focus of media criticism. It also includes a detailed
analysis of advertising and circulation questions. Because of this broad
scope, the book would be of interest to scholars and many professionals
. . . . For programs that have graduate courses in newspaper management
. . . the book should certainly be a candidate for adoption . . . . The
book has an excellent analysis of why afternoon dailies declined in
circulation and number . . . . As a good journalist, Brasch has loaded
his story with human-interest anecdotes to illustrate points he makes
with numbers and ordinary testimony. [Betrayed] is an important story to
be told. . . .
Anonymous "blind reviewer":
"I found myself drawn more and more into the story of the newspaper's
death as I read the manuscript. The author has created not merely an
economic or managerial study that merely replicates the experiences
elsewhere, but provides a compelling narrative focusing on the human
side of the experience and on the twists and turns in the death of a
newspaper. I found the manuscript intriguing and, as I analyze my
reaction, I can only describe my response as morbid curiosity or the
naughty pleasure of a voyeuristic look into the trials, lives, and
emotions of persons involved. . . . The manuscript is highly readable,
and each page draws the reader further into the story. It is a
significant contribution to the field, possibly even a seminal study,
and deserves to be published. . . .
Anonymous "blind reviewer"(for the publisher):
"This is a very good book, perhaps even an important book in the field.
It makes a solid contribution to the contemporary history of
newspapers, Pennsylvania history, media economics, and media sociology.
It helps fill an important gap in contemporary media studies... The
author employed an innovative methodology for collecting and presenting
facts that will make the text interesting for historians beyond the
field of media studies. ... I found myself involved in the events,
wondering what would happen next, and impressed with the author's method
of seeking truth... I was particularly impressed [with his] extensive,
thoughtful analysis . . . . There is absolutely no question in my mind
that this is one of the most significant management studies in mass
communications literature to have come along in the past decade or so."
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