Gustafson (English and American Studies, University of Notre Dame) and Sloat, Director of Scholarly Publications at the American Antiquarian Society, combine the traditional use of the printed
page in historical studies with more ephemeral performative activities to enhance our understanding of nineteenth-century American culture. As the papers presented here explain, the media of
communication may be as varied as public speaking, domestic art, banjoes and improvised lyrics. Some of the articles are based on written material, such as debates on news events or poetry
readings. Others are used in place of print or even in opposition to it, something discovered by those wishing to record slave experiences. The authors suggest that all the senses might be
employed in the act of "reading", leading to an expanded view of communicative possibilities. Annotation 穢2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
