The Brass Check

A STUDY OF AMERICAN JOURNALISM

By: Upton Sinclair

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Paperback | 18 November 2002

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480 Pages

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21 x 14 x 3

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In this systematic critique of the structural basis of U.S. media -- arguably the first one ever published -- Upton Sinclair writes that “American journalism is a class institution serving the rich and spurning the poor.” Likening journalists to prostitutes, the title of the book refers to a chit that was issued to patrons of urban brothels of the era.
Fueled by mounting disdain for newspapers run by business tycoons and conservative editors, Sinclair self-published The Brass Check in the years after The Jungle had made him a household name. Despite Sinclair’s claim that this was his most important book, it was dismissed by critics and shunned by reviewers. Yet it sold over 150,000 copies and enjoyed numerous printings.
A substantial introduction to this paperback edition by Robert W. McChesney and Ben Scott asserts the book’s importance as a cornerstone critique of commercial journalism and a priceless resource for understanding the political turbulence of the Progressive Era.

Industry Reviews

''This unruly classic, originally published by the author in 1919 and last reprinted fifty-seven years ago by Haldeman-Julius, the old socialist publishing house, has now been trotted out into the light of the twenty-first century... No writer on the press has ever matched the old muckraker Sinclair (1878-1968) for exuberance and abundance. He is always personal, but always reaching beyond the personal; he did not fear to use his own divorce to illustrate newspaper malice and malfeasance. His portrait of the press of his era (and in particular The Associated Press) is thoroughly disheartening - an institution in thrall to corporate policy and publishers' whims, using untruths, dirty tricks, and blackouts to serve political ends... [In their new introduction, Robert W. McChesney and Ben Scott] contend, with good reason, that Sinclair's thesis is still valid - that America lacks a press worthy of a democracy.'' - James Boylan, Columbia Journalism Review

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Introduction
The Evidence
The Story of the Brass Check	p. 13
The Story of a Poet	p. 17
Open Sesame!	p. 22
The Real Fight	p. 27
The Condemned Meat Industry	p. 32
An Adventure with Roosevelt	p. 39
Jackals and a Carcase	p. 45
The Last Act	p. 50
Aiming at the Public's Heart	p. 55
A Voice from Russia	p. 58
A Venture in Co-operation	p. 62
The Village Horse-Doctor	p. 68
In High Society	p. 74
The Great Panic	p. 80
Shredded Wheat Biscuit	p. 86
An Interview on Marriage	p. 90
"Gaming" on the Sabbath	p. 97
An Essential Monogamist	p. 102
In the Lion's Den	p. 110
The Story of a Lynching	p. 114
Journalism and Burglary	p. 121
A Millionaire and an Author	p. 125
The "Heart Wife"	p. 130
The Mourning Pickets	p. 142
The Case of the "A. P."	p. 150
A Governor and His Lie	p. 154
The Associated Press at the Bar	p. 165
The Associated Press and Its Newspapers	p. 169
The Scandal-Bureau	p. 176
The Concrete Wall	p. 184
Making Bomb-Makers	p. 191
The Roof-Garden of the World	p. 197
A Fountain of Poison	p. 202
The Daily Cat-and-Dog Fight	p. 213
The Explanation
The Causes of Things	p. 221
The Empire of Business	p. 228
The Dregs of the Cup	p. 237
Owning the Press	p. 241
The War-Makers	p. 250
Owning the Owners	p. 258
The Owner in Politics	p. 263
Owning the Associated Press	p. 271
The Owner and His Advertisers	p. 282
The Advertising Boycott	p. 289
The Advertising Ecstasy	p. 295
The Bribe Direct	p. 300
The Bribe Wholesale	p. 307
Poison Ivy	p. 311
The Elbert Hubbard Worm	p. 314
The Press and Public Welfare	p. 318
The Press and the Radicals	p. 323
The Press and the Socialists	p. 327
The Press and Sex	p. 332
The Press and Crime	p. 337
The Press and Jack London	p. 341
The Press and Labor	p. 346
The Associated Press and Labor	p. 353
"Poisoned at the Source"	p. 362
The Press and the War	p. 377
The Case of Russia	p. 385
"Bolshevism" in America	p. 395
The Remedy
Cutting the Tiger's Claws	p. 403
The Mental Munition-Factory	p. 408
The Problem of the Reporter	p. 415
The Press Set Free	p. 421
A Frame-Up That Fell Down	p. 429
Conclusion	p. 436
Publisher's Note	p. 438
Index	p. 441
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

The Brass Check

A STUDY OF AMERICAN JOURNALISM

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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