Students and others interested in radio history will be intrigued by this fast-paced biography of Gordon McLendon's career in the radio industry, touching also on his work in motion pictures and involvement in Texas politics. Following a glimpse into his childhood, education, and military career, Ronald Garay describes McLendon's station ownership and management in Palestine, Texas; the development of a major network, the Liberty Broadcasting System; his live and recreated baseball and football programs; and his skirmishes with the major league baseball establishment. Much attention is given to how McLendon "re-invented" radio and competed with television and print media through his Top 40 music hits, disc jockey programming, and the use of local news. Important concerns regarding station "trafficking," editorializing, and public interests are considered as well in this extraordinary book.

An excellent extended bibliographic essay, this volume also contains excellent prose introductions at the start of each chapter that provide background on the business of cable, the content of the programming, cable law and regulations, and videotex developments. . . . Current through 1987, this work will remain valuable as a snapshot of the cable industry even when future developments pass it by. . . . A fine scholarly treatment of the cable field, recommended for libraries at all levels. "Choice"

The practical and theoretical issues that cable television has posed for the public and the government, as well as for the industry itself have been the subject of intensive inquiry in the 1980s. Professor Garay's bibliographical guide is the first work to organize, classify, and provide access to this literature. It consists of bibliographical essays and references covering more than four hundred books, government-document, periodical, and periodical article titles that supply primary information on cable-related topics or lead the user to a helpful secondary source.

Using a format closely resembling a legislative history, Ronald Garay traces the progress of congressional television from its inception in 1922, when the first resolution seeking approval to broadcast House floor proceedings was introduced, to 1979, when legislation allowing that coverage was finally passed. Garay presents the major arguments that have been voiced, both inside and outside Congress, in support of or in opposition to televising congressional proceedings. He places the controversial congressional hearings of the 1950s, the Senate Watergate hearings, House Judiciary Committee debates on presidential impeachment, and other major events in the context of the overall legislative history of congressional television. Garay probes the motivations that prompted Congress, congressmen, and senators to pursue such legislation and also provides insights into the impact television has had on member conduct, legislative proceedings in the House and Senate, and on the congressional television audience.