Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: The Political Origins of Modern Communications 1 -- Revolutions as Constitutive Moments 4 -- Communications and Power 7 -- Path of American Development 12 -- Part I Opening of the Public Sphere, 1600-1860 -- Chapter 1 Early Modern Origins 23 -- Chapter 2 New Foundations 47 -- Chapter 3 America's First Information Revolution 83 -- Chapter 4 Capitalism and Democracy in Print 113 -- Part II Rise of Technological Networks, 1840-1930 -- Chapter 5 First Wire 153 -- Chapter 6 New Connections: Telephone, Cable, and Wireless 191 -- Part III Making of the Modern Media, 1865-1941 -- Chapter 7 Great Transformations: The Early Mass Media and the Diversity Dynamic 233 -- Chapter 8 Rediscovery of the First Amendment 267 -- Chapter 9 Framing of the Movies 295 -- Chapter 10 Constitution of the Air (1): The Origins of Broadcasting 327 -- Chapter 11 Constitution of the Air (2): Creating the New Public Sphere 347 -- Chapter 12 Coda: The Advent of the Media 385.