This book analyzes the power of the American print and electronic press in the political process. Davis argues that the press has greater autonomy than at any time in the more than 200 years of U.S. history, but as an intermediary between the government and the governed, its greatest power is to set agendas, not to dictate political opinions on the agenda items. Despite recent gains in autonomy, the electronic media still are less free of government...

"Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, KG, PC, FRS, (21 December 1804 ? 19 April 1881) was a British Prime Minister, parliamentarian, Conservative statesman and literary figure. He served in government in four decades, twice as Prime Minister of Great Britain. He played a central role in the creation of the modern Conservative Party after the Corn Laws schism of 1846."--Wikipedia.

For many centuries, Hindus have taken it for granted that the religious images they place in temples and home shrines for purposes of worship are alive. Hindu priests bring them to life through a complex ritual "establishment" that invokes the god or goddess into material support. Priests and devotees then maintain the enlivened image as a divine person through ongoing liturgical activity: they must awaken it in the morning, bathe it, dress it, feed...

Describes the efforts of negotiators to gain the release of the Americans held in the embassy in Iran.