Contested Ground

"In Contested Ground, Mike Conway's analysis of a controversial Cold War–era television program adds significantly to our understanding of TV news history while illuminating long-standing debates about the proper roles of journalism, broadcasting, and documentary."—Matthew C. Ehrlich, author of Radio Utopia: Postwar Audio Documentary in the Public Interest

"Contested Ground shows the choices earlier newspeople made when faced with difficulties like those we confront today. This must-read book helps us plot a more informed path into the future."—Bob Dotson, New York Times best-selling author and former "American Story" correspondent on NBC's Today

"[T]his well-written book is a valuable addition to the literature on journalism and broadcasting history."—Choice

"Conway's is a new and interesting take on both the memo and literary journalism history . . . Contested Ground is both an eclectic and focused postwar media history that connects The Tunnel, Frank, and his memo to a critical juncture and positions the boundary work of television journalism in its Cold War context. It challenges readers—which should include undergraduate and graduate students of media practice and history—to ask new historical questions about other critical moments."—Journalism History

"Who says that media history has to be boring? Mike Conway . . . shows that it can be darn riveting in his compelling and timely media history of a pivotal moment from the Cold War . . . TV history is worthy of this kind of thoughtful, thematic reconsideration, and I hope others follow Conway's lead."—American Journalism