Copeland (communications, Elon U.) traces how the news media of day has shaped people's identities and opinions throughout the history of the US. This is not a comprehensive history, he says, but a selection of topics to demonstrate the continuing influence of news. His arrangement is chronological, with chapters on such stages as colonial and revolutionary America, the antebellum era and Civil War, the muckrakers and press of the early 20th century, the World Wars and the Cold War, the journalism of change in th 1950s-70s, and media transformation in the 21st century. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)