This work investigates the historical evolution of the relationship between the American press and the federal government, specifically focusing on the role of the press as a conduit for public information. The author, Charles H. Brown, utilizes extensive historical records to examine how various presidential administrations have managed, manipulated, or facilitated the flow of information to the citizenry. The text argues that the tension between government secrecy and the public's right to know has been a defining characteristic of American political development since the nation's founding.

Historians and media scholars frequently cite this text as a foundational resource for understanding the institutional history of the Washington press corps. Readers often note the academic rigor and the extensive use of primary source documentation throughout the narrative.