deliberate disinformation in order to hone in on precisely what they need to find.
The clarification of what propaganda is (and is not) slices through the confusion
surrounding the imprecise terminology and lack of historical background too often
associated with its study.

The sweep of coverage is particularly remarkable. The first half of the book
presents an extensive chronology of propaganda-related events in a detailed time
line that places in historical perspective events and people important to
understanding propaganda in America. The second section is an A-to-Z guide
defining hundreds of important propaganda terms that are often used but generally
ill-defined in context, such as "backdoor contact" and "spin doctor." A selected
bibliography lists sources mentioned in the text. A combined name and subject
index further facilitates access.

The author's independent analysis in A Chronology and Glossary of
Propaganda in the United States sometimes draws on, and incorporates as fair use,
limited quotes from copyrighted material. The sources are either fair use-
paraphrased or cited by direct quote, as fully noted in the text. The group,
Advocates for Self-Government, Inc., of Atlanta, Georgia, for example, gives
blanket permission to quote from its excellent political definitions when
acknowledgment such as this is noted. I am also grateful to on-line sources such as
ACTIV-L, Factsheet Five, and other computerized "ethernaut" information
providers whose work is made available freely through public domain, ShareRight,
and similar mechanisms to researchers, activists, and media for unrestricted
copying, reproducing, and other uses. Other noncopyrighted elements may be
included without attribution, including pertinent descriptive and informational copy
from documents, pamphlets, display exhibit notes, transcripts, and public domain
materials such as those issued by U.S. and state government agencies. An
occasional use of unrestricted public relations materials from private sources is also
found within the text. This is limited to noncopyrighted publicity notes, marketing
copy, sales catalogs, press releases, and other materials originally distributed by
organizations for the specific public domain purpose of encouraging journalists,
scholars, activists, and others to promote their works to wider external audiences.

This book is dedicated to Valoie Parent Nelson, the author's wife, who
inspired its completion. Thanks also go to former colleagues and administrators at
Kansas State University for suggestions and for a Bureau of General Research
award which partially supported student assistance and travel in connection with
this project. Extremism researcher Laird Wilcox was gracious with his help and
advice, as was Don Vought of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff
College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Lance Speere and Jennifer Shakal provided
professional consultation on copy preparation. The patience of the editors at
Greenwood Press, especially Alicia Merritt and Lynn Zelem, proved legendary over
the years in seeing this project into production.

Great efforts were made to avoid mistakes, but some are nonetheless bound to
creep in due to human error and the dynamic nature of contemporary propaganda.
Please send suggestions, corrections, additions, criticisms, and other comments to
the author at the Manship School of Mass Communication, Louisiana State
University, Baton Rouge, La. 70803-7202 USA. He can also be contacted by e-
mail: rnelson@lunix1.sncc.lsu.edu, voice: 504-388-2336, and fax: 504-388-2125.

-viii-