To understand media and mass communication and all that it entails requires obtaining an insight into the culture and workings of the societies that create and consume it. This two-volume set represents a commendable effort to provide the reader, willing to engage with the text, with a solid grounding of the theoretical underpinnings within this field. This, as the work acknowledges, is something that can often be neglected in some studies. It also offers the reference or more casual reader a resource that they can access to answer specific questions around theory and its application; especially through consultation of the opening chapters.
The book opens with content and contributor listings, before a four-page introduction from the editors outlining their initial thoughts and hopes for the work. Their intention is to “explore the varieties of theories that have been developed to deal with issued (sic) raised by the operations of media in society”. While noting that in attempting a comprehensively inclusive coverage they could have expanded the work far beyond the presented volumes, their plan is to provide sufficient background and contextualised examples for readers to be able to incorporate the theory into their own scholastic work. For the large part, the editors are to be commended for their success, as this is very much how the book can be perceived.
The main contents of the book are 50 chapters broken down into six sections, split across the volumes and occupy the lion’s share of the page count. Volume 1 does most of the heavy lifting on introducing theoretical considerations and contains sections considering the Classical Theories of Media and The Press, Audiences, Social Construction and Social Control and, finally, New Approaches and Reconsiderations. Volume 2, on the other hand, is more given over to chapters dealing with the application of theory; in many cases amplifying and developing considerations introduced in the prior volume. For the record, it contains sections focussing on Media Theory and New Technologies, Theory Case Studies and, finally, a future gazing narrative conclusion by the editors. Individual entries are written as lengthy essays, with most averaging between 10 and 20 pages in length. All can be read independently of the rest of the work, allowing the reader in search of answers to dip in to a chosen area. The entries also conclude with a multiplicity of references for further reading.
In a work of this size it is difficult to identify standout sections, as for the most part the book is written clearly and engagingly. For this reviewer, however, it was especially welcome to read the chapters dealing with media theories drawing on non-Western standpoints and philosophical traditions; this introduced a welcome fresh insight in a number of areas. While no work can claim to offer a completely comprehensive coverage, sufficient scope is included as to provide an outline to the key thinkers, theories and ideas, as well as particular applications.
There are no tables, figures or illustrations included in the book; which may make some of the discussions a little impenetrable for the more inexperienced or undergraduate-level reader. However, their omission should not be a major problem for the graduate or professional scholar seeking to digest the conceptual and intellectual frameworks introduced. Additionally, as contributors clearly worked independently, no cross-referencing is offered, nor are there supplementary appendices. This lack of navigational reader aids is at least partially offset by the 13-page subject index presented at the end of the second volume, along with the full contents listing present in both volumes.
Overall then, this is a richly detailed set on media theory and its application in communication studies. While the focus is very much on its application in the media sphere, scholars in allied cultural and sociological disciplines will also find much they can adopt and adapt within their own work as well; broadening the appeal and readership likewise. There is a notable bias towards work focussing on the US media spheres, which may alienate some readers, but it is not a significant flaw as the theories themselves are well presented.
Thus this book would be a useful reference to post-graduate students or academics teaching modules relating to communication, culture, media and society. While some chapters are written more for the specialist reader, others are more accessible and in particular the later individual chapters on specific topics would also provide useful insights to students studying these disciplines at an undergraduate level. Hence, as a reference work, this book is useful, and as an ancillary library text an invaluable overview of the media and mass communication theoretical field today.
It is only the price of the work that gives me pause from making a wholesale recommendation for purchase. While not astronomical for a reference work, the cost is not inconsiderable. It is notable that purchasing the e-book brings the price down slightly, which may help alleviate some concerns. Nevertheless, given that there is much within this work that will be of repeated use to students and faculty, purchase of this work by any academic library supporting these disciplines is one that should be strongly considered.
