The field of communication studies has sufficiently matured that its historiography cannot be neglected. Park (Lake Forest College, Illinois) and Pooley (Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA) introduce 14 essays that reflect on this "invention of tradition" as international contributors address how the field views its history compared to other social sciences from postmodern perspectives that deflate the straw man of the all-powerful media. Discussions include the history of academic institutions in media research. The appendix organizes references by the periods in Anderson and Colvin's media research analysis, 1900-1945. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)