Washburn (journalism, Ohio U.) traces the evolution of African American newspapers in the 19th and 20th centuries. Coverage spans the period from the publishing of the country's first black newspaper in 1827 through the decline in readership and influence affecting these papers in the 1970s. Particular attention is paid to the important role of the African American press in the early development of the civil rights movement. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)