Political Problems and Personalities in Contemporary Maryland provides a comprehensive rhetorical analysis of contemporary politics and political communication in Maryland at both the state and local levels. Theodore F. Sheckels and Carl Hyden approach rhetoric in a broader sense, arguing that actions by political players - including decisions on housing policy, urban redevelopment policy, and transportation policy-are not in a separate category from their messages. In many cases, they argue, actions are messages, often with important material consequences. Rather than focusing solely on previous or upcoming elections, as political communication has traditionally been examined, Sheckels and Hyden give considerable space to non-election topics, responding to current shifts in political communication scholarship and encouraging others to examine political communication at the local and state levels elsewhere in the United States. Scholars of communication, political science, rhetoric, and history will find this book of particular interest.

About the Author

Theodore F. Sheckels is Charles J. Potts Professor of Social Science and professor of English and communication studies at Randolph-Macon College.

Carl Hyden is associate dean for administration in the School of Global Journalism & Communication at Morgan State University.

Reviews

"Thankfully, Ted Sheckels and Carl Hyden have dismantled the myth of the boring Blue state and added greatly to our understanding of the state with the release of Political Problems and Personalities in Contemporary Maryland. Readers are presented at the outset with a necessary crash course on the demographic, geographic, and economic diversity of the state. Prominent Maryland politicians such as Barbara MiKuslki, Martin O'Malley, and Larry Hogan are discussed as are critical policy issues concerning race, housing, and transportation. The authors even take on the critical question of why no Marylander has ever become President. Collectively the book provides a thorough and engrossing presentation of state politics and is perfect for those seeking a better, more in-depth, understanding of politics in the Free State."

-- Todd Eberly, St. Mary's College of Maryland



Book Information
ISBN 9781666928976
Author Theodore F. Sheckels
Format Hardback
Page Count 312
Imprint Lexington Books/Fortress Academic
Publisher Lexington Books
Weight(grams) 612g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 160mm * 24mm