The History of Information
Book Details
The History of Information
Chris Haughton. London: DK, hb, 978 0 2415 5391 6, 2024, £20, 145pp.
Non fiction, illustrated book, 9+
This is an ambitious book and an extraordinary achievement. It is a challenging and innovative way of looking at history, through the lens of information and communication, the development of ideas and the ways in which they are shared.
With chapters on Language, Drawing, Writing, Printing, Science, News and newspapers, Networks, Broadcast, Disinformation and Computers, its range is vast. Information is presented in well-illustrated snippets in a text which is peppered with interesting asides, such as quotes, biographies, and commentaries. Each time period begins with the contemporary world population, the three largest cities, and a key event and key quote. The role of the great thinkers and innovators is used to explore the issues in each section.
What makes the book so fascinating is that the perspective is truly worldwide and that each subject gives equal status to what is happening around the world. There are many references to key books, famous and less well known, which givies a context to time and place. Inevitably there are omissions, but this is not a criticism as the reach is so wide and ambitious. I particularly valued the chronological outline of the development of computing. This is our history, our time, but it is easy to forget when, for example, email or Google started and the impact they have had.
A book to read through or to browse and a hugely valuable resource.
Review by Pam Dix