Technics and Human Development

By Lewis Mumford,

Book cover of Technics and Human Development: The Myth of the Machine, Vol. I

Book description

Mumford explains the forces that have shaped technology since prehistoric times and shaped the modern world. He shows how tools developed because of significant parallel inventions in ritual, language, and social organization. “It is a stimulating volume, informed both with an enormous range of knowledge and empathetic spirit” (Eliot Fremont-Smith,…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Technics and Human Development as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Mumford’s classic describes the emergence of hierarchical power systems that subjugate both humans and the more-than-human nature, from ancient Egypt to modern capitalism and the “Pentagon of Power”. The book takes on the technocratic worldview, inherent in modern capitalism, with a huge scope of knowledge and remarkable detail, combined with Mumford’s deep humanism. Mumford also coined the term “Megamachine” to which I refer in my own book.

Want books like Technics and Human Development?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Technics and Human Development.

Browse books like Technics and Human Development

Book cover of The Great Transformation: The Political and Economic Origins of Our Time
Book cover of The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism
Book cover of Debt: The First 5,000 Years

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,581

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in technology, civilization, and capitalism?

Technology 129 books
Civilization 225 books
Capitalism 218 books