The C-SPAN Revolution [Hardcover]

Stephen Frantzich (Author), John Sullivan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1996

Beginning in 1979, C-SPAN (the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network) has offered gavel-to-gavel, unedited coverage of public events--especially sessions of Congress--in the United States. The C-SPAN Revolution, by Stephen Frantzich and John Sullivan, is the first history of this unique network, offering a behind-the-scenes look at C-SPAN’s evolution, operation, and impact on public affairs.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When proponents of cable television tout the medium's potential to inform and educate, presumably they have in mind programming like that offered by C-SPAN--and not infomercials for exercise apparatus or recycled television sitcoms. The Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, now in its seventeenth year of operation, is unique in its unobtrusive "fly-on-the-wall," full-length coverage of public events. Frantzich is a political science professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, and Sullivan, who teaches English at the University of Virginia, has frequently written about public argument in the mass media. They have compiled here an extensively researched, thorough history of the network, first investigating the relationship between political events and media coverage. They tell how C-SPAN was started, portray its corporate culture, analyze its impact, and consider the network's future in the "Age of Cyberdemocracy." David Rouse

Review

Nothing has developed in the past ten years that has altered and shaped the American political landscape as the coming of C-SPAN (the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network). C-SPAN is important because it redefined and expanded the role of television in late 20th century American politics -- and with wide ranging international ramifications as well! When Brian Lamb and his supporters in the cable industry founded C-SPAN, their mission was a radical one: to shift the emphasis in television from entertainment to information and education. With the particular goal of making the business of government accessible to the public, the creators of C-SPAN initiated the first broadcasts of entire sessions of Congress from "gavel to gavel". Viewers can talk directly to legislators, party leaders, and members of the press. Now covering both the Congress (C-SPAN 1) and the Senate (C-SPAN 2), the program offers have expanded to include committee meetings, foreign legislature sessions, on-th-road presidential campaigns, and special interest group panels, conventions, and press briefings. Based on more than 100 interviews and a variety of sources from both the print and visual media, The C-SPAN Revolution at once depicts the inner workings of a unique television network and the emergence of television as a dominant factor in the current American political scene. The C-SPAN Revolution is "must" reading for all C-SPAN "junkies", and anyone with an interest in contemporary American political science. -- Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press (October 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806128704
• ISBN-13: 978-0806128702
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,385,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book, March 8, 2000

By 

A pleased reader (CA.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The C-SPAN Revolution (Hardcover)

Dr. Frantzich knows his stuff. He does an excellent job describing CSPAN and it's impact on Congress. An important book for any Political Science Major, Professor, or any student of politics. The Naval Academy is lucky to have such a good professor.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for those wishing to learn more about C-SPAN., April 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The C-SPAN Revolution (Hardcover)

This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about politics and the media. Rather than concentrating solely on Brian Lamb, this book takes a closer look at the effects C-SPAN has had on both the political world and the American public.