Historian McChesney proves that, in telecommunications history as in human affairs generally, the same crimes and follies are endlessly repeated. The book is especially interesting for its account of the Federal Radio Commission's campaign to stamp out nonprofit broadcasting, leaving the field clear for the networks that still dominate the field 65 years later. McLuhan alternates between brilliance and blither. His statement that the medium is the message is true and timeless, but one could live without his insight on nylon stockings. Like other FCC commissioners, I agree with his diagnosis but fear his prescription, which disregards freedom of speech.
Postman writes eloquently, is delightfully sarcastic and always a pleasure to read.
If you read only one book from this list, let it be this one. Another media watchdog is the aptly named Media Watchdog. There is an excellent Media and Communications Studies site based at the University of Wales. Here you can find anything from a history of the telephone to an introduction to semiotics, as well as links to other useful pages. The FCC server contains the speeches of Commissioner Reed Hundt, who indicates he is not averse to regulating the Internet if properly invited by the Congress.