Machines As the Measure of Men: Science, Technology, and Ideologies of Western Dominance (Cornell Studies in Comparative History)

Rating:
Summary: An Remarkable Book in Every Way
Review: "The impact of technology on history is one of the great overlooked forces of modern historiography" declares Adas at the beginning of this astonishing book. Focusing on the history of European colonial expansion after 1500, Adas convincingly argues that, more than anything else, it was the overwhelming superiority of European technology that led countries such as Britain and France to colonise Asia, Africa and the Pacific. The story is told in beautiful, polished prose. A rare achievement for an academic book - it's almost impossible to put down.

What makes this book even better is Adas's stubborn refusal to bow to the false God of Political Correctness. Note the title of the book, "MEN" The story of technology, let's face it, is a predominantly male one. The feminist school can moan all they wish, but on the evidence of Adas's book, their protests (and there have been a few) are hollow.

Likewise, Adas is not scared to give credit where credit is due. The author sings the praises of European nations and their technology - and why not? After all, the bewildering number of inventions that emerged from the Industrial Revolution have certainly made life easier for us today. Adas does caution that the Western way has not always been the best way, but it seemed to him hypocritical to attempt to perform a demolition job on European technology and values simply to satisfy the PC brigade.

The book begins with a look at first encounters between European and Asian and African cultures during the sixteenth century. Here, before the Industrial Revolution, European explorers admired the technology of the Chinese and sought to learn from it. But even here, Adas destroys Jared Diamond's theory that geography alone was responsible for European expansion. Even at this early stage, Europeans, encouraged by their Christian faith, realised that they perceived the world differently from other cultures. Unlike other peoples, for Europeans, nature was something to be tamed, not endured. This outlook was not due to geography alone.

The next two chapters lie at the heart of Adas's thesis, and show that indeed technology played a vital role in European expansion, and in European judgements of other cultures.

Then, Adas destroys the basic contention of Marxist historians by showing that, (gasp!) Britain and France actually wanted to help the people in their colonies through their technology! Although expolitation is not denied, Adas shows that European powers were not just playing the imperial game for their own ends.

The book ends by showing how all European powers began to seriously question the worthiness of their technology during the First World War. Far from undercutting his thesis, his reasons for the ascendancy of the USA as a world power proves his basic assumption even further.

All in all, a wonderful book which has received nowhere near the attention it deserves.

Rating:
Summary: An Remarkable Book in Every Way
Review: "The impact of technology on history is one of the great overlooked forces of modern historiography" declares Adas at the beginning of this astonishing book. Focusing on the history of European colonial expansion after 1500, Adas convincingly argues that, more than anything else, it was the overwhelming superiority of European technology that led countries such as Britain and France to colonise Asia, Africa and the Pacific. The story is told in beautiful, polished prose. A rare achievement for an academic book - it's almost impossible to put down.

What makes this book even better is Adas's stubborn refusal to bow to the false God of Political Correctness. Note the title of the book, "MEN" The story of technology, let's face it, is a predominantly male one. The feminist school can moan all they wish, but on the evidence of Adas's book, their protests (and there have been a few) are hollow.

Likewise, Adas is not scared to give credit where credit is due. The author sings the praises of European nations and their technology - and why not? After all, the bewildering number of inventions that emerged from the Industrial Revolution have certainly made life easier for us today. Adas does caution that the Western way has not always been the best way, but it seemed to him hypocritical to attempt to perform a demolition job on European technology and values simply to satisfy the PC brigade.

The book begins with a look at first encounters between European and Asian and African cultures during the sixteenth century. Here, before the Industrial Revolution, European explorers admired the technology of the Chinese and sought to learn from it. But even here, Adas destroys Jared Diamond's theory that geography alone was responsible for European expansion. Even at this early stage, Europeans, encouraged by their Christian faith, realised that they perceived the world differently from other cultures. Unlike other peoples, for Europeans, nature was something to be tamed, not endured. This outlook was not due to geography alone.

The next two chapters lie at the heart of Adas's thesis, and show that indeed technology played a vital role in European expansion, and in European judgements of other cultures.

Then, Adas destroys the basic contention of Marxist historians by showing that, (gasp!) Britain and France actually wanted to help the people in their colonies through their technology! Although expolitation is not denied, Adas shows that European powers were not just playing the imperial game for their own ends.

The book ends by showing how all European powers began to seriously question the worthiness of their technology during the First World War. Far from undercutting his thesis, his reasons for the ascendancy of the USA as a world power proves his basic assumption even further.

All in all, a wonderful book which has received nowhere near the attention it deserves.