"First-rate in every respect.... perceptive, pithy, up-to-date, and written in a clear-sighted, and even charming, style. If Newton has his way, the old hypodermic model of media power will have to be replaced by Newton's "garden hose" model—a garden hose so worn and cracked that 'it leaks and squirts water in all directions.' Surprising news? Yes, and a wonderfully instructive, indispensable book." —Michael Schudson, Columbia University

"Highly recommended."—Choice

"What is the role of the news media in a democracy? Addressing this issue, Ken Newton marshals a wide range of evidence from diverse contexts and disciplines to provide critical insights…. Dispelling conventional myths, and providing careful scrutiny of the evidence, Surprising News is a tour de force."—Pippa Norris, Harvard University and University of Sydney

"An impressive study that brings a new and refreshing perspective to the study of the relation between media and politics.... Newton enters into a lively dialogue with some of the key authors in this field."—Marc Hooghe, Leuven University

"Would I buy it? Absolutely! It is well argued, broadly supported and highly enlightening."— Rudiger Schmitt-Beck, University of Mannheim

"This important new book draws on decades of research to address a fundamental and highly controversial question of our time: How do the media affect democratic politics? Ken Newton offers a wise, subtle, and skeptical view of media effects, based on an encyclopedic review of thousands of studies from many different disciplines and countries." —Robert Putnam, Harvard University