Empire and Communications (Voyageur Classics)

How much impact had writing in its different incarnations had on world history? How does changes in writing technologies influence the outcomes of empires? This (or something akin to this) is the thesis of Harold A. Innis in this short, but difficult to read (so they say), book.

You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy this different outlook proposed by Innis. Maybe, as myself, you’ll reach Innis by reading Marshall McLuhan’s The Gutenberg Galaxy. In any case, Innis’ proposal makes you think again about the role writing has had on human culture, history, and even evolution.

Well argued for, with good and substancial examples, this book provides much food for thought and, as McLuhan develops these ideas, becomes a whole different way to look at contemporary clashes and events (be them social, political and even religious).