Historical scholarship -- the neglected child of media studies -- is in the midst of a renaissance, as shown in this collection of papers. Since the 1970s, media research has focused on media policy and media politics. Change came with the publication of a three-volume Danish Media History (1996-97), which signalled a need for further and more detailed research within the neglected historical field, especially in light of the importance of the computer in the media landscape. A seminar held at the University of Aarhus in 1999 provided the environment for reflection on the theoretical and methodological problems inherent in the writing of media histories and looked at published histories that provide models of empirical research within various media: radio, television and print. This collection includes contributions by Christopher Anderson and Michael Curtin, both Associate Professors in the Department of Communication and Culture at Indiana University; and Niels Brügger and Søren Kolstrup, the editors of this volume, both Associate Professors at the Department of Information and Media Science, University of Aarhus. The book contains contributions from Nordic, Dutch and American researchers. Drs Anderson and Curtin discuss the phenomenon of the 'network' era in the United States and conclude that it is not the natural, inevitable or permanent form of radio and television that will survive there or elsewhere. Dr Brügger provides an outline of a general theory of the media; and Dr Kolstrup looks at the structure of newspapers from 1800 to 1999, which has survived with minor changes -- up to now. Other topics include television fiction, radio history and the influence of computers.