Information: A Historical Companion

This book explores how information has evolved over six centuries,from the premodern era to the present,and how it has shaped societies. It is written by an international team of experts and includes 13 full-length chapters, 100 alphabetical entries, and a detailed index.

Format: Hardback
Length: 904 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The evolution of information practices, technologies, and societal attitudes over six centuries is explored in this comprehensive history. From the premodern era to the present, the book traces the global emergence of information practices, technologies, and more, offering a comprehensive reference on how information has shaped and been shaped by societies.

Written by an international team of experts, the book offers a rich and diverse range of long- and short-form contributions that reconstruct the rise of human approaches to creating, managing, and sharing facts and knowledge. Thirteen full-length chapters discuss the role of information in pivotal epochs and regions, with a chief emphasis on Europe and North America, but also substantive treatment of other parts of the world and current global interconnections.

More than 100 alphabetical entries follow, focusing on specific tools, methods, and concepts—from ancient coins to the office memo, and censorship to plagiarism. The result is a wide-ranging, deeply immersive collection that will appeal to anyone drawn to the story behind our modern mania for an informed existence.

The book explores the complex relationship between information, power, and society, examining how different cultures and societies have approached information management and dissemination over time. It also considers the ethical and social implications of information technology, such as privacy, intellectual property, and censorship.

Overall, this is a landmark history that provides a valuable insight into the evolution of information practices, technologies, and societal attitudes, and will be of interest to scholars, researchers, and anyone with an interest in the history and future of information.

Weight: 1756g
Dimension: 190 x 263 x 61 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691179544