'In my view it will become the standard work on media and communications courses where we attempt to introduce students to the histories of communications ... I loudly celebrate this important study and commend it unreservedly to all concerned with media, communications and the role of technologies in the world today.' - European Journal of Communications'[Winston's] breadth of experience is evident in this thorough and lucid history The scope of the material and the detail presented in 300 information-rich pages plus some 250 references is impressive. Winston not only picks out the key 'facts' about a period or a technology, but what is more difficult, manages to tell the truth about what was going on at the time' - Journal of Documentation'Anyone seriously interested in the field is likely to find much of interest, and to retain the history as a reference for use when presented with dubious 'facts' by enthusiasts of the new technologies This is recommended reading.' - Journal of Documentation