This memoir, completed just before Vincent Mosco’s sudden death in February 2024, chronicles the last half century of research, activism and teaching in critical communication, technology and society from the perspective of one of its pioneering figures. It concentrates on the making of a radical activist scholar, the creation of a critical communication research field, the growth of a critical political economy of media and the concomitant expansion of critical approaches to media and computer technology, to communication labour and to public policy and media activism.

This beautifully written and deeply personal book is an informative and fascinating read that will be of interest to anyone interested in Critical Media and Communication Studies and the Political Economy of Communication.

“A poignant and thoughtful remembrance of his inspirational life and impressive work.”
— Professor Janet Wasko, University of Oregon

“Mosco’s lifelong commitment to critical research and social justice leaves behind a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire scholars and activists well into the future.”
— Professor Victor Pickard, University of Pennsylvania

“Vincent Mosco’s memoir is the story of a mild-mannered, but combative, activist scholar and teacher, told humbly, honestly, and, at times, emotionally, of his Italian ancestry, growing up in a working-poor neighbourhood in New York, studying under or with some of the world’s leading thinkers, and playing a pivotal role in pioneering and developing the field of critical communication studies.”
— Professor John Lent, Temple University

"This book is a must-read for everyone interested in the critical study of communication, digital media, and society. Vincent Mosco’s memoir is the lasting legacy of his critical scholarship that was guided by the vision of democratic communications, the public good, and good work, combined with scholarship-activism. These features form the heart of the Critical-Humanist Political Economy of Communication he helped establish."
— Professor Christian Fuchs, Editor of UWP series Critical Digital and Social Media Studies

"Mosco’s memoir gives us an inspiring account of the making of critical communication studies from one of its founding figures. More than this, Mosco tells us this story through the lens of a post-war era shaped by labour, anti-war, civil rights, media democracy and other social justice movements, showing us how these struggles made critical communication studies the dynamic field of scholarship that it is."
— Enda Brophy, Associate Professor, Simon Fraser University, Canada

"As his final gift to critical political economy of communication, Vincent Mosco gave us a vital history of the development of the field that links the personal and political. This memoir reflects Vinny’s generosity and abiding commitment to radical research and will inspire the next generation of critical scholars."
— Nicole Cohen, Associate Professor, University of Toronto

"The interdisciplinary field of critical communication studies has been shaped to a great degree by the intellect, moral judgment, and passion that Mosco has contributed to it over the course of a career and a life worth celebrating. This book helps to explain why we are richer because of the role he played."
— Professor Andrew Calabrese, University of Colorado, Boulder

"Through his scholarship and activism, his vision and conduct, Professor Mosco is the embodiment of what critical communication should be at its very best."
— Professor Jack Qiu, Nanyang Technological University

"In his ironically prescient memoir, Professor Mosco left us with profound insights into the life, soul, inspirations and ways of thinking of one of our field’s most influential figures. While his journey took on many unexpected twists and turns from the rough streets of New York to the ivory tower of academia around the world, he never lost touch with what he came to say: study the world, change it for the better. His memoir passes that on to the world."
— Professor Dwayne Winseck, Carleton University, Ottawa

"Professor Mosco continually opened new doors of research in the political economy of communication and was unwavering in his moral commitments to social justice, the defence of working people, and his own working-class family background in the streets of the Little Italy section of Manhattan."
— Professor Gerald Sussman, Portland State University

Vincent Mosco was Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Queen’s University, Canada and Distinguished Professor, New Media Centre at Fudan University, China