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Orality and Literacy (New Accents) 3rd Edition

by Walter J. Ong (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 106 ratings
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Walter J. Ong’s classic work provides a fascinating insight into the social effects of oral, written, printed and electronic technologies, and their impact on philosophical, theological, scientific and literary thought.

This thirtieth anniversary edition – coinciding with Ong’s centenary year – reproduces his best-known and most influential book in full and brings it up to date with two new exploratory essays by cultural writer and critic John Hartley.

Hartley provides:

    • A scene-setting chapter that situates Ong’s work within the historical and disciplinary context of post-war Americanism and the rise of communication and media studies;

    • A closing chapter that follows up Ong’s work on orality and literacy in relation to evolving media forms, with a discussion of recent criticisms of Ong’s approach, and an assessment of his concept of the ‘evolution of consciousness’;

    • Extensive references to recent scholarship on orality, literacy and the study of knowledge technologies, tracing changes in how we know what we know.

    These illuminating essays contextualize Ong within recent intellectual history, and display his work’s continuing force in the ongoing study of the relationship between literature and the media, as well as that of psychology, education and sociological thought.

    Previous slide of product details
    1. ISBN-10
      0415538386
    2. ISBN-13
      978-0415538381
    3. Edition
      3rd
    4. Publication date
      September 27, 2012
    5. Part of series
      New Accents
    6. Language
      English
    7. Dimensions
      5.08 x 0.6 x 7.8 inches
    8. Print length
      264 pages
    9. See all details
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    Editorial Reviews

    About the Author

    Walter J. Ong (30 November 1912 – 12 August 2003) was University Professor Emeritus at Saint Louis University, USA, where he was previously Professor of English and Professor of Humanities in Psychiatry. His many publications have been highly influential for studies in the evolution of consciousness.

    John Hartley is an educator, author, researcher and commentator on the history and cultural impact of television, journalism, popular media and creative industries. He is Professor of Cultural Science and Director of the Centre for Culture & Technology at Curtin University, Western Australia.

    Product details

    • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge; 3rd edition (September 27, 2012)
    • Language ‏ : ‎ English
    • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
    • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0415538386
    • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0415538381
    • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
    • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.08 x 0.6 x 7.8 inches
    • Customer Reviews:
      4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 106 ratings

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    Walter J. Ong

    Walter J. Ong

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    Customer reviews

    4.4 out of 5 stars
    4.4 out of 5
    106 global ratings

    Customers say

    Customers find the content fascinating and the craftsmanship very good. However, some find the book difficult to read.

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    ContentCraftsmanshipReadability
    11 customers mention "Content"11 positive0 negative

    Customers find the book's content fascinating, insightful, and excellent. They also say it contains an excellent explanation of the difference between oral and written communication.

    "This is readable and sheds light on so many questions. I'm still reading it, and, surprisingly for an academic book, I can hardly put it down!" Read more

    "...studies/linguistics, and yet he manages to write such complex concepts in very digestable, flowing language...." Read more

    "This book contains an excellent explanation of the difference between oral and literate cultures, and the features that distinguish them...." Read more

    "Ong's book contains some insightful discourse on speech and text...." Read more

    5 customers mention "Craftsmanship"5 positive0 negative

    Customers appreciate the craftsmanship of the book. They mention it's a very good book with good quality.

    "I found this book very interesting and informative. A very good book." Read more

    "Essential reading for anyone in with an interest in orality...." Read more

    "Good Quality..." Read more

    "one really excellent chapter on essentials of oral v. literate cultures..." Read more

    4 customers mention "Readability"0 positive4 negative

    Customers find the book difficult to read.

    "...Overall he's got some awesome ideas, but reading the book is hard work even for someone who reads and writes a lot." Read more

    "The book is interesting, but the binding is such that it is difficult to read." Read more

    "...He says it is a challenge to read. Definitely not a casual read." Read more

    "A little difficult to read." Read more

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    Top reviews from the United States

    Luck
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Quality
    Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This is readable and sheds light on so many questions. I'm still reading it, and, surprisingly for an academic book, I can hardly put it down!
    3 people found this helpful
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    Savannah
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Writer With a Compelling Argument
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Ong is one of the most mind-blowing writers in the field of literacy studies/linguistics, and yet he manages to write such complex concepts in very digestable, flowing language. It takes a true master of his subject to be able to make his work so approachable while simultaneously pushing you to expand your notion of what impacts the transition from oral to a text-based/visual society will have.
    17 people found this helpful
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    Molly Johnson
    4.0 out of 5 stars one really excellent chapter on essentials of oral v. literate cultures
    Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book contains an excellent explanation of the difference between oral and literate cultures, and the features that distinguish them. In one of the earlier chapters, Ong makes clear what it is about oral peoples that drives literate people crazy. By reading it, I got a lot of clarity on why reasoning requires writing, and exactly what is missing from the reasoning ability of non-reading people. Ties in very neatly with Ayn Rand's theory of concepts and also explains why the ancient Greeks made such enormous progress in a short period of time once they developed the ability to record new thoughts in writing. Ong's other chapters I found less useful and not so original, but his tight, integrated summary of the differences between orality and literacy made the book more than worthwhile for me.
    18 people found this helpful
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    Davidson Gigliotti
    5.0 out of 5 stars Walter Ong is important.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This book is for readers who are interested in Marshall McLuhan, Millman Parry, Eric Havelock, Harold Innes. Ong addresses oral culture and literate culture and the differences between them. Also discusses secondary orality.
    4 people found this helpful
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    Evan
    3.0 out of 5 stars Use a highlighter and take notes
    Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Ong's book contains some insightful discourse on speech and text. This book is required for a college course I am taking but I plan on reading it again after the semester. He gives numerous perspectives on the origin and use of language that have me greatly intrigued to explore and ponder. The reason I gave this 3 stars is because the information is not effectively delivered. There isn't a clear structure to his essays which sadly diminishes the profound ideas he writes about. He also tends to go off topic and some essays in this book appear to be derailed by some secondary idea. Many of the essays also do not have thesis or conclusions, making it difficult to extract anything of value without the help of an instructor. Upon a second reading I will need to highlight and write more clear notes.

    Overall he's got some awesome ideas, but reading the book is hard work even for someone who reads and writes a lot.
    12 people found this helpful
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    Virginia Cadenhead
    5.0 out of 5 stars Reference material
    Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Got this book as an original source for my doctoral studies. Great information that helps me lay a foundation
    One person found this helpful
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    Michael F. Peterson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Informative
    Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I found this book very interesting and informative. A very good book.
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    Donny Rice
    4.0 out of 5 stars The information is for the most part easily accessible and digestible
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Really interesting and relevant read. I had it for a college course. The information is for the most part easily accessible and digestible, though Ong sometimes goes off on tangents that I struggled to follow. There's some criticism on the accuracy of his claim on how writing affects human consciousness, but it's still a fun theory and has some practical uses.
    3 people found this helpful
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    Top reviews from other countries

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    Mr. C de Barra
    5.0 out of 5 stars Speech comes from the depths of a human person.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This book clarifies the importance of the spoken word and yet shows how written and printed language has benefited mankind.
    Language is such a human thing it’s Origen must be Devine. “In the begging was the Word and the Word was with God”
    3 people found this helpful
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    Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on July 15, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book was fabulous!
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    Pedro Russi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Recomiendo
    Reviewed in Spain on April 11, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    excelente para todo los que busquen entender el proceso de lo escrito y lo oral, un clásico en ese sentido.
    es la base conceptual para el pensamiento de Eric A. Havelock
    Report
    Mike Gershon
    5.0 out of 5 stars A superb book, filled with fascinating insights
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 5, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book remains a classic work many decades after its publication. Ong writes with wit, insight and humanity, drawing fascinating insights from the realms of language, psychoanalysis and anthropology. A must-read for anyone interested in the workings of the human mind and the role of literacy in the development of thought.
    3 people found this helpful
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    John M. MCCULLOUGH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good condition. Bit of a heavy read but interesting ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Very good condition. Bit of a heavy read but interesting with relevance to our semi-literate friends.
    3 people found this helpful
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