The Christian Science Monitor: An Evolving Experiment in Journalism by Linda K. Fuller (Praeger, 2011).  ISBN 978-0-313-37994-9.  [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]. .Cost $34.95  Bulks discounts are available.

This is the story of how a secular newspaper, founded in 1908 by a woman in her 88^th year, evolved into becoming a unique, highly respected journalistic venture. In 2009, The Christian Science Monitor decided to go digital with a 24/7 Web-first format (CSMonitor.com), supplemented for subscribers by a weekly edition (CSM Weekly) and a daily email version (Daily New Briefing). An assessment of that decision by means of interviews with 61 staff members, as well as a content analyses of both print offerings, found that the Monitor’s unique user numbers increased dramatically while, at the same time, the venerable “newspaper” was able to maintain its moral sensibility and keep to its journalistic mission: “To injure no man, but to bless all mankind.” Including a detailed description of the Monitor’s uniqueness, reputation, and role in the world of media, this book highlights its 100-year long history, founder Mary Baker Eddy’s vision of how the press operates, and—of particular importance, the inclusion of a look at journalism in the twenty-first century in terms of media bias and ethics. The physical process of production is outlined, focusing on national and international bureaus and personnel; their perspectives, in their own voices, are invaluable. Case studies are provided on disasters, gender issues, health and disease, homelessness, international events, terrorism, religion, sports, and much more. One whole chapter is devoted to the role of information technology and how the Monitor has both bent to acknowledge it and plan for its future. Appendices include awards, editors, methodology and dates of interviews, relevant websites, a timeline, citations of film and book reviews during the study, and a list of key staff.  The author, who has been monitoring the Monitor nearly a half-century, underscores the value of a moral sensibility at the core of its publishing ideology.

Features: interviews with managers and writers of The Christian Science Monitor and case studies on topics like terrorism, international issues, gender, and more.

Linda K. Fuller (Ph.D., Communications), a Senior Fellow at Northeastern University, is the author/(co-) editor of more than 20 books and 300+ professional publications, including these with Praeger: The Cosby Show: Audiences, Impact, Implications (1992); Community TV in the US (1994); Dictionary of Quotations in Communications (1997); and National Days/National Ways (2004). The recipient of Fulbright awards to Singapore and Senegal, she has found the Monitor invaluable in her research. Linda K. Fuller, PhD, is senior fellow at Northeastern University, Boston, MA, and professor of communications at Worcester State University, MA. She is the author, editor, or coeditor of 20 books and more than 300 professional publications and conference reports. Her published works include Praeger's National Days/National Ways: Historical, Political, and Religious Celebrations Around the World and Greenwood's The Cosby Show: Audiences, Impact, and Implications and Community Television in the United States: A Sourcebook on Public, Educational, and Governmental Access. The recipient of Fulbright awards to teach in Singapore and to research HIV/AIDS in Senegal, Fuller has been monitoring the Monitor for half of its 100-year history.