"The user-friendly text—with ‘summaries’ and ‘conclusions’ at intervals—will help students to think for themselves. Meanwhile, general readers will find this a clear introduction to a field of history too significant to be left solely to the specialists." Donald Read, English Historical Review "In a feat of compression and erudite conciseness, Comparative Media History ranges across several continents and over two centuries of media history to trace the emergence of current international media institutions from past historical traditions. A brilliant textbook for media students, to be ranked alongside Asa Briggs and Peter Burke’s A Social History of the Media as a key introduction to comparative media studies." David Finkelstein, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh "Comparing developments in seven media industries, five countries and across time, this invaluable book's depth and scope seem unmatched in its field. The book promises to reshape thinking and become a touchstone for future research in media history. Indeed, rarely has a book come across my desk that seemed so likely to so profoundly affect scholarship in a field". Hazel Dicken-Garcia, University of Minnesota