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mavpion 's review for:
The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man
by Marshall McLuhan
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
There were a lot of very interesting ideas in this book. I enjoyed how the author presented the history of print and how it contrasted sharply with hand-copied books and the culture around those. He makes good points about how the form (medium) of the works can influence the thought patterns around it.
However, I think in some ways, he draws those connections mystically, in some ways it feels a little like technological essentialism and an attempt to explain a pre-existing belief in European superiority. And while I think the role of medium and the business of content in shaping the ideas that are sold and consumed is very important, I think he exaggerates the effects.
However, the worst sin is how he presents his ideas in overly dense and rambling style without clear arguments and proofs. Based on the content it feels like he was trying to mimic the style of manuscript works, but that feels like a very poor choice. Had he been clearer and more concise in his presentation this would easily be a five.
However, I think in some ways, he draws those connections mystically, in some ways it feels a little like technological essentialism and an attempt to explain a pre-existing belief in European superiority. And while I think the role of medium and the business of content in shaping the ideas that are sold and consumed is very important, I think he exaggerates the effects.
However, the worst sin is how he presents his ideas in overly dense and rambling style without clear arguments and proofs. Based on the content it feels like he was trying to mimic the style of manuscript works, but that feels like a very poor choice. Had he been clearer and more concise in his presentation this would easily be a five.