The third volume in The History of Journalism series, this work provides an overview of the period from 1833 to 1865 when major journalistic forces evolved within professional circles, reform movements, Southern nationalism, ethnic, religious and racial minorities. The transition from partisan press to commercial journalism, it is argued, was a gradual process that covered the entire popular press era from the founding of the penny newspapers in 1833 through the end of the Civil War in 1865. Newspapers reflected a diverse, multicultural society and numerous reform and partisan groups during the antebellum era. Civil War correspondents created a new power base, the reporter in the field, by occassionally sending reports independent from the views of their commanding officers and employing editors. The relationship between newspapers and the government and political parties remained a complex one, especially during the war when reporters demonstrated their independence if not their objectivity.

Scholars and researchers of journalism history and of the American Civil war will appreciate this synthesis of journalism history during an important period in American history. Among the subjects covered are the New York newspaper wars, specialized publications, alternative newspapers, Western newspaper wars, reporters, officers, and soldiers in the field, and reflections on the popular press. A complete list of sources follows a bibliographical overview.