Leonardo to the Internet: Technology and Culture from the Renaissance to the Present (Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology) 2nd Edition

Many people hold one of two views of technology and culture. Some think that technology determines how society evolve. Others contend that human affairs express themselves in the technologies they produce. Misa contends that technology and culture evolve together in a mixed group; neither determine the other. He makes this case by examining this evolution, as his title promises, from the days of Leonardo until the present.Generally, Misa sees the history of technology moving from court to commerce, then from industry to empire, then from science to modernism and warfare, and finally from globalization to insecurity. He charts this progression through historical exemplars, like the growth of Dutch commerce or the extension of the British Empire. As one would expect from a first-rate history like this, he voyages in-depth into each topic, usually from many angles.In so doing, he notes common pitfalls cultures fall into over time. For example, the countries that most embraced nuclear technology were late to the game in wind and solar power. Or the British were late to adopt new scientific advances because their energies were concentrated on continuing imperial power. As an American working in medical technology, I try to see market and societal evolution and appreciate how Misa equips me to anticipate the future by understanding the past.The book is written in clear English. A prior intellectual investment in technology is helpful to appreciate all the nuance of this topic, per Misa’s presentation. College and university courses are appropriate venues for this text. Also, those who have labored around technology post-education will appreciate descriptions of new epochs, especially the analysis of our situation post-9/11.This book was originally written in 2004 and re-published in 2011. Nonetheless, I wonder what Misa might say (perhaps in a third edition?) about global intellectual stagnation through nationalist politics in 2015-2020. Surely technology and society help to push the human race towards unreached intellectual heights, and social and tribal warfare as we’ve seen does not help us reach these laudable, universal aims. Does history show us a way forward? That’s the question I’d like to ask Misa.

Honestly, I'm not enjoying it. Not interested, for the most part, about history in the least.That being said, it's easy to read and the chapters aren't mind numbingly long. A lot of the things I find interesting/important were left out or glossed over, but that's because the book specifically is looking at technology.Bottom line: if you don't have to read it, don't. But if your professor mandates that you read it, it's fairly painless and certainly not as bad as a literal textbook might be.

while i wasn't expecting much..as it was a class requirement, it turned out to be a really interesting book. good job misa. the book had plenty of smaller details and focused primarily on the technology of the time. I can say that i did enjoy reading this book and will probably reread at some point in personal interest as I was reading maybe only 60-70% of the chapter's content, like i say school requirement, didn't really have the time to read intensely.

This book is actually really interesting. I enjoyed writing a paper about it, one of the few textbooks I actually read start to finish.

This was a textbook for a college course, yet I loved it. It is well written.

textbook for a class; a bit dry, but solid info

Not really for me, it was required reading for a course but I ended up just skimming through it. Its far too bogged down with details and specifics, instead of just giving a more broad overview of technology's advancement through the centuries. The writing style is very dry and boring, as well, I could barely focus, and I enjoy reading in my free time.

Perfect book for class

Eine kurze Rezension:Zum Äußeren:Das Buch war zwar nicht mehr eingeschweißt aber hatte keinerlei MängelZum Inneren:Für meine diesjährige Vorlesung in Technikgeschichte wurde uns dieses Buch empfohlen.Es hat einen guten Überblick und ist gut gegliedert.Die Sprache ist meiner Meinung nach sehr gut verständlich, da er selten verzweigte Satzbauten wählt.

Das Buch beleuchtet die Geschichte der Technik nicht primär von der Technik oder ihren Erfindern her, sondern von den Antriebskräften, die zu verschiedenen Zeiten die technische Entwicklung vorwärts trieben. Denn ob der große Erfinder mit dem technologisch Machbaren auch Erfolg hat, hängt von den gesellschaftlichen Bedürfnissen ab, die er vorfindet - oder schafft! Dies zeigt das interessant geschriebene Buch, das aktuell als Grundlage der technikgeschichtlichen Einführungsvorlesung an der TU Darmstadt verwendet wird. Eine gute Verknüpfung der Technikgeschichte mit dem "Rest" der Geschichte!

Habe das Buch als Kindleversion gekauft um es als Begleitlektüre zur Vorlesung zu nutzen. Die Sprache ist anschaulich und gut verständlich erfordert jedoch einige Kenntnisse der englischen Fachsprache. Der Überblick ist sinnvoll und gut gegliedert und auch der Gesamtzusammenhang wird an vielen Stellen deutlich.Als Überblick oder Ausganspunkt für weitere Beschäftigungen sehr ratsam.

Product came very quickly! Book is in good condition

Very good