The Shock of the Old: Technology and Global History Since 1900

by David Edgerton

Book Overview

From the books of H.G. Wells to the press releases of NASA, we are awash in clich?d claims about high technology's ability to change the course of history. Now, in The Shock of the Old, David Edgerton offers a startling new and fresh way of thinking about the history of technology, radically revising our ideas about the interaction of technology and society in the past and in the present. He challenges us to view the history of technology in terms...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195322835
• ISBN13: 9780195322835
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.5" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

A top pick for college-level history holdings

THE SHOCK OF THE OLD: TECHNOLOGY AND GLOBAL HISTORY SINCE 1900 draws some important connections between technological advancements and world history, drawing interconnected analysis of global history and issues of the arts, production, politics and war. This history here is surveyed with an emphasis on what people actually used from technology, rather than inventions: a focus which lends depth and some surprising revelations into the mix of analysis. SHOCK OF THE OLD is a top pick for college-level history holdings, but many a public library will find it is easy to digest, also. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

Superb!

This book is simply the best broad analysis of the role of technology in society that one can read: Superb! My only criticism is that the author occasionally slips in gratuitous (or at the least, unbalanced by counter-examples or context) anti-American remarks. While distracting, this bias is entirely predictable from a UK academic of his generation; his central ideas can be recommended without reservations of any kind.

A radically different view of the history of technology through the eyes of one of Britain's leading

Every day each one of us is bombarded by commercial messages touting the latest and greatest products. You can now purchase a self-cleaning hot tub or a cell phone that can store and play thousands of songs. But just how much useful innovation is really taking place in the opening decade of the 21st Century? In "The Shock of The Old" author David Edgerton offers the somewhat controversial proposition that in spite of all of the hype what is happening today really is not all that innovative after all. Rather, Edgerton argues "judging from the present, the past looks extraordinarily innovative." The interesting arguments made by Edgerton are certainly worth exploring. Whether discussing innovations in military technology, transportation, pharmaceuticals or consumer products, David Edgerton wants to find out not only how useful these technologies really are but also how much they are actually used. Although Edgertons writing style proves to be less than scintillating, his idea is certainly a fascinating one. For example, Edgerton argues rather effectively that rockets and the atomic bomb are two of the most overrated technologies in military history. The fact of the matter is that much older technologies such as airplanes, the rifle and heavy artillery remain to this day the most prolific tools of war. Indeed, Edgerton even goes so far as to suggest that had the United States directed more of its resources to traditional weapons like these instead of the atomic bomb then World War II might have actually been concluded much sooner. And while the German V-2 rocket was capable of delivering a one ton warhead to a target some 200 miles away it was certainly not very cost effective. In fact, Edgerton quotes Michael Neufield who has written extensively about the V-2 project that "more people died producing it than died from being hit by it." It is apparent to the author that many of these highly touted new technologies were vastly overrated by those in charge on both sides in World War II. Throughout "The Shock of the Old" David Edgerton argues that the most innovative times in history were around the turn of the century and during the years between the great World Wars. He cites example after example of how technologies developed during these periods continue to play a key role in the lives of people all over the world, particularly those in poorer nations. He takes a look at a variety of industries including shipping, meat-packing and automobiles. He also warns those who are counting on future breakthroughs to solve all manner of problems such as energy, health concerns and global warming to think again. I found "The Shock of the Old" to be a bit tedious at times and somewhat repetitive. Perhaps this is due to the complexity of the subject matter. Nevertheless, it is a book that offers much food for thought. This is a scholarly work that deserves your consideration.

A needed rethink

A look at the 20th Century with a fresh eye. The essential point - we didn't live through a period of great technological change, it was a period of technological stability. Think of the changes from 1807 to 1907, then from 1907 to 2007. Which saw the greater change? And that's the point discussed with wit and verve.