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Review
"Every now and then one reads a book of social science that is uplifting and mind–expanding. These books are ambitious and lustrous, teaching us much about our world. Such is this work from the brilliant sociologist Manuel Castells. There is no other sociological work today that brings together in one panoramic expanse so many of the changes now occurring. This is a story not simply of global economic change, but of cultural upheavals. It is a tale not simply of the decline of sovereign states, but of the emergence of the new bases of power. And it is a narrative not merely about computer technology or the media, but of the very terms in which those agents work." Contemporary Sociology <!––end––>
"A magnum opus if ever there was one. In my view, the finest piece of contemporary social analysis for at least a generation." British Journal of Sociology
"A truly stunning achievement. A scholar who, with remarkable mastery, has brought his experience over a lifetime to bear on astonishingly diversified data set, pulling them together into a compelling account of the complex relationship between the progressive and the reactionary, the globalizing and particularizing forces that are transforming our perplexing world." The Los Angeles Times Sunday Book Reviews
"This is a powerful and insightful book that adds to Castell′s reputation as one of the foremost social theorists writing today, and it offers something of interest to specialist and general readers alike." Autobiography Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Every now and then one reads a book of social science that is uplifting and mind expanding. These books are ambitious and lustrous, teaching us much about our world. Such is this work from the brilliant sociologist Manuel Castells. There is no other sociological work today that brings together in one panoramic expanse so many of the changes now occurring. This is a story not simply of global economic change, but of cultural upheavals. It is a tale not simply of the decline of sovereign states, but of the emergence of the new bases of power. And it is a narrative not merely about computer technology or the media, but of the very terms in which those agents work."
–Anthony M. Orum, Contemporary Sociology
–Anthony M. Orum, Contemporary Sociology
"A magnum opus if ever there was one. In my view, the finest piece of contemporary social analysis for at least a generation."
–Frank Webster, British Journal of Sociology
"A truly stunning achievement. A scholar who, with remarkable mastery, has brought his experience over a lifetime to bear on astonishingly diversified data set, pulling them together into a compelling account of the complex relationship between the progressive and the reactionary, the globalizing and particularizing forces that are transforming our perplexing world."
–Benjamin Barber, The Los Angeles Times Sunday Book Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is more the application of the theories expounded by Toeffler (Future Shock and Third Wave) and John Naisbitt (Megatrends) in the context of the Geo-political and Social happenings today. While the concepts are not necessarily new, the application is in depth and conclusions are well founded and statistically well supported. A good read for people in the fields of Science and Technology policy and Socio-psychology.
0 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book has two inaccuracies already discovered and I have never read it yet.Frankie Schaeffer,Francis Schaeffer's son wrote the book "A Time for Anger" and Francis August Schaeffer ,his father died in 1984 not 1981.No Identity, false information and doubt caused as to whether one should buy it.Pity because I like to read a book before reviewing it but this made me doubt whether it was worthwhile and was the rest of his stated interest in various identities valid and was it correct information?.These two mistakes, seen in the look inside section do not inspire confidence.Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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5 reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Brave New World
11 Jan 2000
Format:Paperback
Castells trilogy, The Information Age, was written in the late 20th century but it is really the first sociology classic of the 21st and, as such, comparable to the masterworks of Durkheim and Weber. The first audacious volume chronicled the rise of a new global order based on a network of information flows. Since Castells views the human species as essentially predatory, some remedial measures are needed to resist the injustices that will arise. This second volume is therefore prescriptive. A masterly presentation of the world's current social movements follows. The author's discussion of the affect of the internet on political action and political campaigns is especially useful. Despite the volatile subject matter, I thought that Castells never quite sacrificed his objectivity although a delicate balancing act does take place throughout the volume. This book and the previous one sometimes read like some great epic of science fiction but it is our own very real world in the 21st century that the author is discussing. As an introduction to our brave new planet, this book could hardly be bettered.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Globalized public sphere
12 Jun 2002
Format:Paperback
This is the second volume of 'Information Age'. This volume deals with how the social movement has changed through internet and globalization.
The public sphere is where social movement projects itself. The internet has had great impact on the public sphere with its global reach. We's witnessed that kind of potential on the some handful of anti-globalization protest in recent years.
But what has changed is not only the way of protest. According to Touraine's typology, a social movement is defined by three principles: the movement's identity; its adversary; its vision or social model. Globalization transformed the identity of social movement. Zapatistas and recent environmental movements are the graphic examples. Now adversary is not confined to local government, but the government representing the interests of global agencies like TNCs. They oppose their specific identity and the well-being of society against the global adversary. The impact of these movements comes from their media presence and from their effective use of IT. Castells argues that the ability or inability of the state to cope with these challenges will largely condition the future of society in the 21st century.
The public sphere is where social movement projects itself. The internet has had great impact on the public sphere with its global reach. We's witnessed that kind of potential on the some handful of anti-globalization protest in recent years.
But what has changed is not only the way of protest. According to Touraine's typology, a social movement is defined by three principles: the movement's identity; its adversary; its vision or social model. Globalization transformed the identity of social movement. Zapatistas and recent environmental movements are the graphic examples. Now adversary is not confined to local government, but the government representing the interests of global agencies like TNCs. They oppose their specific identity and the well-being of society against the global adversary. The impact of these movements comes from their media presence and from their effective use of IT. Castells argues that the ability or inability of the state to cope with these challenges will largely condition the future of society in the 21st century.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Time of Change.... ?
9 Jan 2007
Format:Paperback
The second book of already classic Castells' trilogy The Information Age, in which the author attempts to reveal structural similarities between various contemporary social movements opposing dominant socioeconomic order. Obviously inspired by Marxist's search for the subject of historical change, Castells tries to infer from these similarities what are necessary prerequisites for the rise of a successful global movement with a positive (constructive) program of social change - change that would remove at least the most serious inequalities and injustice that stem from capitalist logic of today's globalized world. Even if partly unsuccessful in its goal, this book represents very valuable source of sociologically, economically and historically relevant up-to-date (2004) information about contemporary resisting collective identities and their strategies - varying from feminists, Zapata and green movement to Al-Qaeda and Aum Shinrikyo. Castells is successful - although mostly in simplified form - in connecting development of selected collective identities with crisis of modern state, rise of network logic of social organization, development in the mass-media system, and globalization of national economies. This book represents essential reading for all social scientists who are interested in related problems. Because it is very readable and far from being assailed for academic babbling, I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to understand better the changes of the world we live in.
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