Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man (edit title)

Members with This Book

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It Rated 5 stars “First published in 1964, this is probably one of the most revealing discourses on 20th century culture. You would appreciate it more if you had seen Professor McLuhan interviewed on television. His premise is that the medium that carries a message actually has more influence on individuals and...” see full review » see other reviews »

Newest Reviews

• 
  • Rated 0 stars

  “This book is a tome. McLuhan takes a prophetic look at media and communication. The main point of the book is his catch-phrase, "the medium is the message." This statement means that the content of any medium depends upon the mode of communication.
  
  The short chapters make for a quick, intense read.”

  Adam T wrote this review Saturday, September 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No

  
  
  • Rated 3 stars

  “Found out about this book from the introduction of the book Fever Pitch. This book was originally written in 1964 and the ideas behind the terms "global village" and "age of information" are prescient. The book is a stream of consciousness about instant communication, and how shaping the message can shape us in return. His premise being we become what we observe. He lets the reader interpret for himself what all these concepts mean to each of us. At times this book is not easy to understand, and it probably applies better today than it did in 1964. Not a fun easy read but a challenging fascinating book.”

  sunblazer wrote this review Friday, April 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No

  
  
  • Rated 0 stars

  “I haven't read this yet, but I'm just stoked that I can put the specific paperback edition I found in a used book store up on this site.”

  dateline1945 wrote this review Saturday, July 7 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No

  
  
  • Rated 5 stars

  “First published in 1964, this is probably one of the most revealing discourses on 20th century culture. You would appreciate it more if you had seen Professor McLuhan interviewed on television. His premise is that the medium that carries a message actually has more influence on individuals and upon society than the content that it conveys. He demonstrated how major technological advances in media (the printing press, the telephone, radio, television, computers) have caused tremendous changes in the way societies behave. He explained the difference between "hot" media and "cool" media. He claimed that the concept of "viewpoint" is a direct result of the development of the printing press. He tried to convince us that he did not have a viewpoint. Once you read his book, his catch phrases such as "The medium is the message," and "The medium is the massage," take on a special significance for you. It will make you wonder--not why newspapers are fading in popularity, but rather how will societies change as the computer driven internet becomes the major communication medium. This book is often thought provoking, and sometimes a little frightening.”

  TradeWinds wrote this review Friday, June 15 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No