A Social History of the Media / Edition 4

by Asa Briggs, Peter Burke, Espen Ytreberg

Overview

The first three editions of this bestselling book have established A Social History of the Media as a classic, providing a masterful overview of communication media and of the social and cultural contexts within which they emerged and evolved over time.

This fourth edition has been revised and updated throughout to reflect the latest developments in the field. Additionally, an expanded introduction explores the wide range of secondary literature and theory that inform the study of media history today, and a new eighth chapter surveys the revolutionary media developments of the twenty-first century, including in particular the rise of social and participatory media and the penetration of these technologies into every sphere of social and private life.

Avoiding technological determinism and rejecting assumptions of straightforward evolutionary progress, this book brings out the rich and varied histories of communication media. In an age of fast-paced media developments, a thorough understanding of media history is more important than ever, and this text will continue to be the first choice for students and scholars across the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781509533725
Publisher:	Polity Press
Publication date:	06/02/2020
Edition description:	4th ed.
Pages:	360
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.60(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Asa Briggs was Provost at Worcester College, Oxford, and Chancellor of The Open University.
Peter Burke is Professor Emeritus of Cultural History at the University of Cambridge.
Espen Ytreberg is Professor in the Department of Media and Communication at the University of Oslo.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
Preface

1 Introduction
2 Printing in its Contexts
3 The Media and the Public Sphere in Early Modern Europe
4 Technologies and Revolutions
5 New Processes and Patterns
6 Information, Education, Entertainment
7 Media Convergences
8 The Return of the Social

Chronology
Further Reading
Index

Editorial Reviews

‘I strongly recommend this book not only for use in undergraduate courses, but also for seasoned teachers and researchers. In an age where media technologies change at lightning speed, this book provides an invaluable overview of a rich history for which important milestones tend to be easily forgotten.’

José van Dijck, Utrecht University

For an intensely media-conscious generation, this is an ideal survey of the history of communication. It ranges across continents and cultures, from the dawn of literacy to the advent of Twitter. It illuminates connections between new, old, and ancient new media, and it strikingly illustrates their impact on society and human thought.

Jonathan Rose, Drew University

A richly informative account of developments from Gutenberg to Google, by two of Britain’s leading social and cultural historians. Espen Ytrebergs’ new last chapter brings the narrative up to date with an authoritative and wide-ranging survey of the media today. Highly recommended as a source book for all students of media.

Paddy Scannell, University of Michigan

From the Publisher