Reviews

"With revealing insights into such historical events as the genesis of the Bill of Rights and the development of the idea that truth is an acceptable defense against libel (it was not always) . . . [Powe] explores the four major legal issues that confront the press . . ." —Publishers Weekly

". . . The Fourth Estate and the Constitution offers a challenging interpretation of the constitutional role of a "free" press, and it thoughtfully integrates the work of historians into current policy debates." —Journal of American History

"The richness of historical allusion, case law, legal theory, political events, rational debate, documentation, and just good storytelling makes this work a model of its genre. Beyond that, Powe has set a standard of writing in both of his major works that makes them accessible to audiences far wider than those generally commanded by legal theorists." —Constitutional Commentary

"[Powe] . . . handles expertly explorations of the framers' First Amendment intentions, early constitutional challenges, libel, prior restraint, access and antitrust and uses them for context for his theoretical analysis." —American Journalism

"Lucas Powe's The Fourth Estate and the Constitution is well written, provocative, and comprehensive--a superb introduction to the field. The book's lively combination of doctrinal summaries, policy analyses, and historical detail will be instructive for the beginner and scholar alike."—C. Edwin Baker, Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania



"Path-breaking, a work of first-rate importance."—Dwight L. Teeter, Professor of Mass Communication, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

"Powe retrieves the colorful story of press freedom from judicial doctrine, academic theory, and journalistic self-righteousness and restored its essential political context. His characteristically outspoken account is in the best tradition of legal realism."—Hans A. Linde, Professor of Law, University of Oregon