A history, a theory, a flood winner of the royal society winton prize for science books 2012, the worlds leading prize for popular science writing. A history, a theory, a flood how humans handle information has been a theme and a concern throughout the ages. Buy this book in 1948, bell laboratories announced the invention of the electronic. This enhanced e book version contains twelve animations created by graphic design students from the world renowned central saint martins college of art and design. Rob shapiro james gleick chronicles the history of information technologies that have changed human behaviors and reshaped entire civilizations. A history, a theory, a flood james gleick, read by rob shapiro. Then comes the flood, the rise on the internet, wiki and the cloud. Listen to the information a history, a theory, a flood by james gleick available from rakuten kobo. A history, a theory, a flood is a book by science history writer james gleick published in march 2011 which covers the genesis of our current information age. But unlike chaos, information also has a human history. It was on the new york times bestseller list for three weeks following its debut. You may wish to ask factual questions about the information.
The information audiobook by james gleick 9780307914972. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. To accomplish that he opens the book by discussing the advent of drumming, signals, telegraph, telephone and the computer. A history, a theory, a flood is a book written in 2011 by. Online library the information a history theory flood james gleick on the new york times bestseller list for three weeks following its debut. A history, a theory, a flood by gleick, james isbn. Imagine luxuriating on a wifiequipped desert island with mr. And as we now flood the world with information, it becomes harder and harder to find meaning. A history, a theory, a flood in new york journal of. A fascinating intellectual journey through the history of communication and information, from the language of africas talking drums to the invention of written alphabets. While these stories are very interesting, the second half of the book is even more thrilling and exciting. Mar 20, 2011 but unlike chaos, information also has a human history.
The life and science of richard feynman, and the information. The story of information begins in a time profoundly unlike our own, when every thought and utterance. Gleicks notes became my list for texts to further read around the topic. This enhanced ebook version contains twelve animations created by graphic design students from the world. The book uses the contributions of claude shannon as a thread to tie everyones work together, but this is not a biography of claude shannon. James gleick, the author of the best sellers chaos and genius, now brings us a work just as astonishing and masterly.
Parts of the early biography are charming, and we come to care deeply about claude shannon. The information has also been published in ebook formats by fourth estate and random house, and as an audiobook by random house audio. Not surprisingly, the subject of james gleicks the information is the field of knowledge known as information theory. It is the only serious complaint about a deeply impressive and rather beautiful book. We sort the mail, build sandcastles, solve jigsaw puzzles, separate wheat from chaff, rearrange chess pieces, collect stamps, alphabetize books. Wilson literary science writing award from the bestselling author of the acclaimed chaos and genius comes a thoughtful and provocative exploration of the big ideas of the modern era. A history, a theory, a flood, james gleick describes a technological innovation so transformative that it was heralded as one of the grand waymarks in. With chapter 6, new wires, new logic, gleick has reached the core of his book, a biography of claude shannon and the impact of his work at bell labs on the creation of our current state of information technology. This page is not a forum for general discussion about the information. Dec 10, 20 author and journalist james gleick tells the story of information technologies that, he claims, changed the very nature of human consciousness. Dec 11, 2014 not surprisingly, the subject of james gleicks the information is the field of knowledge known as information theory. A history, a theory, a flood is a book written in 2011 by james gleick what the telegraph accomplished in years the telephone has done in months.
The theorys origin can be traced to a seminal article written in 1948 by claude shannon, an engineer employed at that time by bell laboratories. Author and journalist james gleick tells the story of information technologies that, he claims, changed the very nature of human consciousness. One year it was a scientific toy, without infinite possibilities of practical use. The theory focuses on such 20thcentury notables as claude shannon. In a series of chapters, gleick recounts ofttold tales about the invention of writing systems and the compilation of the oxford english. A history, a theory, a flood summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching the information. Gleick provides portraits of the key figures who contributed to our understanding of information. In a sense, the information is a book about everything, from words themselves to talking drums, writing and lexicography, early attempts at an analytical engine, the telegraph and telephone, eniac, and the ubiquitous computers that followed. The author managed to synthesize the history, the theory, and the flood of information to produce actual knowledge, an understanding of the role information plays in the world of human beings. A history, a theory, a flood kindle edition with audio video published march 31st 2011 by fourth estate kindle edition with audio video, 547 pages. A history, a theory, a flood, james gleick describes a technological innovation so transformative that it was heralded as. A history, a theory, a flood at the reference desk, discuss relevant wikipedia policy at the village pump, or ask for help at the. From the bestselling author of the acclaimed chaos and genius comes a thoughtful and provocative exploration of the big ideas of the modern era.
But every era of history has had its own information revolution. There are two keys to cope with the information flood. A history, a theory, a flood is a book by science history writer. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. This is a history, not a textbook on information theory. Rob shapiro gleick provides portraits of the key figures who contributed to our understanding of information. An information theory that considers just the signal and neglects the receiver is limited. The information a history theory flood james gleick. A history, a theory, a flood seeks to place information in historical context. From the invention of scripts and alphabets to the longmisunderstood talking drums of africa, gleick tells the story of information technologies that changed the very nature of human consciousness.
Mar 06, 2012 the author managed to synthesize the history, the theory, and the flood of information to produce actual knowledge, an understanding of the role information plays in the world of human beings. A history, a theory, a flood audiobook by james gleick. Information, communication, and information theory acclaimed science writer james gleick presents an eyeopening vision of how our relationship to. James gleick from the invention of scripts and alphabets to the long misunderstood talking drums of africa, james gleick tells the story of information technologies that changed the very nature of human. Get 50% off this audiobook at the audiobooksnow online audio book store and download or stream it right to your computer, smartphone or tablet. Parts of the early biography are charming, and we come to. The story of information begins in a time profoundly unlike our own, when every thought and utterance vanishes as soon as it is born. A history, a theory, a flood in new york journal of books. A history, a theory, a flood book online at best prices in india on.
Acclaimed science writer james gleick presents an eyeopening vision of how our relationship to information has transformed the very nature of human consciousness. Get 50% off this audiobook at the audiobooksnow online audio book store. Please limit discussion to improvement of this article. A history, a theory, a flood audible audio edition. Estate and random house, and as an audiobook by random house audio. He explores where the age of information is taking. I was particularly thrilled to learn about the influence information theory had on the development of modern physics, evolution and biology, as well as. The information is so ambitious, illuminating and sexily theoretical that it will amount to aspirational reading for many of those who have the mettle to tackle it. Information, communication, and information theory.