Chapter 1: Introduction
Why focus on magazines?
Magazines, modernization, and community in America
The modernization of America
Modernization and community in America
The path forward: The outline of this book
Chapter 2: The history of American magazines, 1741-1860
Magazine origins
Magazine evolutions
Variety within and among magazines
Chapter 3: The material and cultural foundations of American magazines
Publishing technologies
Distribution infrastructure: The post office
The reading public
Professional authors and copyright law
Chapter 4: Launching magazines
Who founded American magazines?
Why were magazines founded?
How did magazines gain public support?
Chapter 5: Religion
The changing face of American religion
The interplay between religion and magazines
Chapter 6: Social reform
The evolution of social reform movements
Religion and reform: The moral impulse
Magazines and reform
The press, the pulpit, and the antislavery movement
Chapter 7: The economy
Economic development
Commerce and magazines
Rationality and "Science" in America
A new American revolution: Agriculture becomes "scientific"
Chapter 8: Conclusion.