While the huge impact of the mass media on everyday social life is acknowledged, it has generally been assigned a peripheral role in the historical process. This intriguing book demonstrates that, far from being a footnote, media discourse has been a critical factor in recent European history, and indeed one that distinguishes the twentieth century from all previous ones.

While the huge impact of the mass media on everyday social life is acknowledged, it has generally been assigned a peripheral role in the historical process. This intriguing book demonstrates that, far from being a footnote, media has been a critical factor in recent European history and one that distinguishes the 20th century from others.

'Real critical examination of the media, especially its place in great power, is still taboo among most journalists. John Theobald breaks that taboo in a powerful, incisive book that ought to be standard issue in media colleges.' John Pilger 'This is a bold, forthright, and imaginative book that pulls no punches in its insistence on the baleful role of the mass media in the shaping of the modern world. In his provocatively perceptive case studies, Theobald marshals his topics ever closer to home, while at the same time throwing light on areas of media power and influence that will be quite new to many English-speaking readers.' Professor John Sandford, University of Reading, UK 'The Media and the Making of History deserves a wide readership.' MediaLens