Includes bibliographical references (p. 409-416) and index.

Historical overview -- The beginnings, 1492 to 1880 -- Early American advertising -- Selling the goods, 1880 to 1900 -- The rise of a consumer economy, 1900 to World War I -- Modern American advertising -- The roaring twenties, 1920 to 1929 -- The Depression and war years, 1930 to 1945 -- The postwar boom, 1945 to 1960 -- Contemporary American advertising -- The creative revolution, 1960-1975 -- From positioning to image building, 1975-1990 -- The information revolution, 1990-1999 -- Advertising in the new millennium -- The digital age, since 2000 -- Epilogue.

Examines how American advertising both mirrors society and creates it. From the first newspaper advertisement in colonial times to today's online viral advertising, the text explores how advertising grew in America, how products and brands were produced and promoted, and how advertisements and agencies reflect and introduce cultural trends and issues.