[4] He is the author or co-author of nine books about the history of media in the U.S., including television, radio, and the recording industry.

He has also been active in urging reform of copyright laws regarding historical recordings, testifying at U.S.

Copyright Office hearings in 2011[5][6] and chairing the Historical Recording Coalition for Access and Preservation.

[7] He was twice elected president of the Association for Recorded Sound Collections (serving 1982-84 and 2012–14) and has been chair of its Copyright and Fair Use Committee since 2003.

[9] The Complete Directory by Brooks and Marsh won a 1980 U.S. National Book Award in the one-year category General Reference (paperback).