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Ask HN: What history of economics and technology book would you recommend?

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Ask HN: What history of economics and technology book would you recommend?

#1
Hi guys,

I have started to read about how technology impacts the economy of a society. Currently, I'm with "Science and Technology in World History", by McClellan and Dorn.

Would you recommend it? Also, what other books have you read on the topic?

Thanks a lot.

Re: Ask HN: What history of economics and technology book would you recommend?

#2
I really like "The Worldly Philosophers" by Robert L. Heilbroner. I don't know if it's as focused on technology as you're looking for but it does a good job of showing how economics and economic theory evolved over time and the circumstances the people driving it were in that would have helped shape their thoughts.

It has a short chapter covering the time before "modern" economics and then covers many of the major economists from Adam Smith to Joseph Schumpeter.

Re: Ask HN: What history of economics and technology book would you recommend?

#5
Well there is Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution by Steven Levy[1]. The first part is mainly about how hackers from MIT influenced the world of technology but the second and third part touches upon how they effected the economy with there companies and all.

This may not be the best book for your research but this definitely will help you understand the players.

[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackers:_Heroes_of_the_Computer...

Re: Ask HN: What history of economics and technology book would you recommend?

#6
Not really a book, but check out James Burkes Connections series. Other shows he's worked on have to do with the history of science/technology as well.

The episode pertaining to the birth of the computer is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORY-mXXgJg4&feature=PlayL...

That's worth checking out first, to give you an idea of what it's like. The rest of his stuff is here: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=JamesBurkeWeb#g/p

Re: Ask HN: What history of economics and technology book would you recommend?

#7

Not really a book, but check out James Burkes Connections series. Other shows he's worked on have to do with the history of science/technology as well. The episode pertaining to the birth of the computer is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORY-mXXgJg4&feature=PlayL... That's worth checking out first, to give you an idea of what it's like. The rest of his stuff is here: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=JamesBur…

Actually there is a book version as well:

http://www.amazon.com/Connections-James-Burke/dp/0743299558

I loved this series as a kid. It was my favorite TV show. Now that I know more about the history of technology, the connections sometimes seem a bit strained, but even so I know of no better introduction to the topic.

Re: Ask HN: What history of economics and technology book would you recommend?

#9

Not really a book, but check out James Burkes Connections series. Other shows he's worked on have to do with the history of science/technology as well. The episode pertaining to the birth of the computer is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORY-mXXgJg4&feature=PlayL... That's worth checking out first, to give you an idea of what it's like. The rest of his stuff is here: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=JamesBur…

This is my favorite monologue of all time. Inspiring. In it, James Burke sums how sci/tech is fundamental to changing the world. Then he ties Eastern & Western philosophical views. And the explains how the computer revolution will could radically change society: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB8_wPei2ZM (5mins)

If you like Paul you'll like Burke. Here's his bibliography: http://www.amazon.com/James-Burke/e/B002N2NB36/ref=sr_tc_2_0...

Re: Ask HN: What history of economics and technology book would you recommend?

#10
Medieval Technology and Social Change. The title sounds boring, but this one of those books that just cranks your brain open. There is so much new stuff in it. Or at least, stuff that was new when it was published in the 1960s.

Carlo Cipolla's Guns, Sails, and Empires is a close second. His Clocks and Culture is also very good; the prologue is probably the best 21 page summary of the history of western technology that you could find anywhere.

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