A Companion to American Technology (Blackwell Companions to American History) [Hardcover]

Carroll Pursell (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 14, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0631228446 | ISBN-13: 978-0631228448 | Edition: 1

A Companion to American Technology is a groundbreaking collection of original essays that analyze the hard-to-define phenomenon of “technology” in America.

• 22 original essays by expert scholars cover the most important features of American technology, including developments in automobiles, television, and computing
• Analyzes the ways in which technologies are organized, such as in the engineering profession, government, medicine and agriculture
• Includes discussions of how technologies interact with race, gender, class, and other organizing structures in American society

Editorial Reviews

Review

"These essays serve the purpose of establishing a base of information for the reader to better understand the process of technology, how it is defined, and how it can be traced throughout the history of the nation ... An excellent collection."
Journal of Southern History

"The very breadth of the subject matter and analytical techniques in these contributions is extremely impressive. A stimulating collection."
History

"Highly recommended."
Choice

Book Description

A Companion to American Technology is a groundbreaking collection of original, historiographical essays that analyze the hard-to-define phenomenon of "technology" in America. Over 20 expert scholars discuss the most important products of American technology, such as the automobile, television, and computers. The essays address ways in which technologies are organized in the engineering profession, government, medicine, and agriculture. The book also covers how technologies interact with other organizing structures in our society, like race, gender, and class. Each essay in this Companion presents a narrative history of its topic as it developed in twentieth-century America. These narratives give readers a clear, concise, and authoritative account of their subjects. Included with the essays are an introductory essay and bibliographic references that alert the readers to alternative interpretations, closely related topics, and sources of further information. Readers will find this a compelling, fascinating look at America's machinery, industry, and technophilic culture.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (February 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631228446
• ISBN-13: 978-0631228448
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,639,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)