The Analogue Revolution by Simon Webb

The Analogue Revolution by Simon Webb – Communication Technology 1901–1914* – is the second book I read by this author and it is just as good as the first one. The focus of the book is on the start of the 20th century, but, of course, there are many relevant references of what happened before, in the 19th century, when technological developments allowed for the new kind of newspapers, with printed imagines, radio, cheap cameras.

The book is very interesting also because it draws parallels with the modern age and how we related with the new technologies. I don’t agree with all his views, but that is irrelevant, hence the 5 stars I gave it. Obviously, I would highly recommend this book too.

There are funny stories in the book, regarding Marconi, for example. There is another one, with an American law suit, in which the prosecutor was claiming that what the company was selling was surely a fraud as something like that wasn’t possible. In fact it was and today we see that particular technological advancement as something trivial and we don’t even stop to think how it actually works.

What I did not expect to read in this book was pornography, but, as the saying goes “internet is for porn”, previous technologies were also used… well… for pretty much the same purpose, much to the displeasure of Edwardian middle-class women. I found those details highly entertaining.

How he dealt with the media was great, showing its benefits and drawbacks. At least for those details the book is worth reading. At 150 pages and with a lovely flow, this will not take long to read, so make sure you borrow it/buy it if you fancy.

The Analogue Revolution by Simon Webb

Details about the picture: –
My rating: 5/5 Stars
Would I recommend it: yes!
Published by: Pen and Sword History
Year it was published: 2018
Format: Hardcover
Genre(s): History – 20th Century
Pages: 158

About the author: Simon Webb is the author of a number of non-fiction books, ranging from academic works on education to popular history. He works as a consultant on the subject of capital punishment to television companies and filmmakers and also writes for various magazines and newspapers; including the Times Educational Supplement, The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian.
Books by him: Forgotten Slave Trade; The Analogue Revolution; Post-War Childhood; 1919: Britain’s Year of Revolution; A History of Torture in Britain; British Concentration Camps; First World War Trials and Executions; Bombers, Rioters and Police Killers; Suffragette Fascists; The Suffragette Bombers.
Website & Social Media Links: Pen and Sword

*I was sent a copy of The Analogue Revolution by Simon Webb for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.