British Writers, Popular Literature and New Media Innovation, 1820–45

From penny bloods and religious tracts to weekly periodicals and humorous annuals filled with woodcut illustrations, these essays tell a compelling tale about how popular media forms grew and thrived. Offering an enlightening analysis of popular publishing, the contributors resituate the period as one that is essential to understanding not only nineteenth-century publishing, but also our own digital media environment. -- Jennifer Phegley, University of Missouri
This book explores innovations in the mass-market press—periodicals, newspapers, books—in the late Regency and early Victorian periods. Chapters focus on such topics as serial miscellanies, periodical portraits, memorials, comic annuals, environmental children’s poetry, advertising, and periodical poetry. The author of each chapter presents a case study as a guide to possibilities of employing the vast fields of study. This work, with its high-quality illustrations and careful documentation, will be of interest to students of history and literature. The reader will gain valuable insights into the innovations sparked by the rapid increase in literacy and technological advances, such as the adaptation of steam power in printing. The comprehensive bibliography can serve as a guide to further research. Summing Up: Highly recommended. -- J. D. Vann, emeritus, University of North Texas * CHOICE *