The Printer's Trial: The Case of John Peter Zenger and the Fight for a Free Press
Grade 4-8–With clear affection for the topic, Jarrow presents an engaging narrative of the trial that established the precedent of freedom of the press in the colonies prior to the American Revolution. A pawn of greater men, Zenger saw an opportunity to boost his income by printing a new newspaper for the New York colony, while his backers saw an opportunity to criticize the appointed governor. The printer took the fall for them, but was saved by an impassioned legal defense from Andrew Hamilton. Conflicts precipitating the trial are elucidated, as is the importance of Zenger's victory to colonial beliefs and to publishing in the years leading up to war. While sometimes distracting, the facing captions provide students with needed details on key figures, events, and the printing process. Reproductions of contemporary illustrations and of pages from theNew-York Weekly Journalappear throughout. The author's extensive research is evident from the lengthy notes and bibliography. Karen Westermann'sJohn Peter Zenger(Chelsea House, 2001) is more accessible, but casts a less-critical eye on the evidence for Zenger's role in publishing the stories in his newspaper. Students seeking quick answers will likely pass on this humble-looking title, but patient readers will be rewarded with an inspiring introduction to one of America's dearest values. An excellent supplement to history units.–Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.