Constructing a Social Science for Postwar America: The Cybernetics Group, 1946-1953 (Paperback)

~ Steve Joshua Heims (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The story told by this book is fascinating."
—Martin Sbubik, Science



"This impressive text ... is really about interdisciplinary science and creative thinking... Laced throughout is a clear description of how politics and personalities affect the formulation of scientific thought... [It] accurately and completely presents scientific ideas while it maintains compelling readability. It is ideal collateral reading for any science course.
—G. William Troxler, Science Books & Films

Product Description

Originally published in 1991 in cloth as The Cybernetics Group

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Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (January 29, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 026258123X
• ISBN-13: 978-0262581233
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,068,982 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Top minds trying to find common ground, July 20, 2009

By	Bruce P. Barten (Saint Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have only seen a hardcover copy of this book from 1991. Many of the issues that others have brought to my attention in my lifetime were put in specific professional frames of reference in this book. As history, I'm afraid it strives for the kind of understanding that will totally escape a TV culture nation of shoppers spending itself into a plastic financial hole. Those who would like to see the background which allowed Michel Foucault to emerge as an expert in the way civilized society attempts to deal with people who are considered mad by people who no longer function well together would benefit from the context in which professionals who had compteting responsibilites could observe each other trying the same aspects of psychotic multiplicity on each other again and again without finding the kind of resolution any sane society would insist upon. Foucault gets quoted and mentioned as a frame of reference suitable in 1991 for understanding issues raised in Macy conferences and subsequent papers by the outstanding participants.