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Winfield, Betty Houchin, ed. Journalism 1908: Birth of a Profession. Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 2008. 356 pp. $24.95.
Journalism 1908 is a proud and earnest volume principally intended to mark the centenary of the University of Missouri's School of Journalism and recall its natal year, 1908. The objective is admirably accomplished through the work of the volume's editor, Betty Houchin Winfield, and her seventeen contributors, all of whom have Missouri connections. An impressive and varied lineup it is, ranging from such eminent scholars as Maurine Beasley and William H. Taft, to doctoral candidates completing their studies at university. They offer usually insightful chapters on topics ranging from the politics of the press to sports journalism in 1908.
Winfield has accomplished something of even broader importance to journalism history: Journalism 1908 effectively demonstrates the value and ptacticality of the edited-year study. Journalism 1908 is the first of that sub-genre in journalism research and could well serve as a model for other editedyear studies.
The year study is a promising methodology that has...