Newspaper

Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things, while Newspaper explores the history of newspapers and their impact on democracy and power. It is a 400-year history of a nearly-endangered object seen by journalist Maggie Messitt in the United States and South Africa.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Object Lessons is a captivating series of beautifully designed books that delve into the hidden lives of ordinary things. Beyond its traditional role as a medium for news, newspapers have a rich history that encompasses censorship, historical destruction, partisan campaigns, and the story of an instrument that has played a crucial role in democracy and holding the powerful accountable. This 400-year history is explored through the lens of journalist Maggie Messitt, who examines newspapers in the United States and South Africa, two democratic nations that have experienced significant unrest and change over time. Newspapers have been used as a tool for both oppression and empowerment, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of their impact. From the first colonial papers published by slave traders and advocates for press freedom to those printed on id cards, wallpaper, and folio sheets during civil wars, newspapers have been a vital source of information, opinion, and propaganda. They have been set on fire, pushed into bodies of water, and run out of town by editors. Journalists have been arrested and their work has been suppressed. Object Lessons offers a unique perspective on the history of newspapers, highlighting the hidden lives that have shaped their power and influence. It is published in partnership with an essay series in The Atlantic, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the role of newspapers in shaping our world.

Weight: 172g
Dimension: 123 x 165 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501392177