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tonyleachsf's review against another edition
3.0
A fine history of information monopolies. But in pursuit of pushing a particular point of view, the author ignores obvious external factors, assigns motive where there isn’t necessarily one, and ties examples that seem more dissimilar than alike.
docuguy's review against another edition
5.0
Though a bit long, it does cover everything! A fascinating view of how monopoly empires grow, diffuse, and rebuild themselves.
theknitpick's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a very detailed look at how information empires (like Hollywood, the telephone system, etc) are built and how, initially, they are open use but become closed over time, leading to privileges and boxed in use of the product. Wu does an excellent job of retelling the history of corporations you never knew about in a way that is engaging, insightful, and very captivating.
The last portion of his book covers the rise of the internet and how, hypothetically, based on his studies of other empires, it can become a closed system. He defines net neutrality and how it is likely the internet can lose its neutrality because of corporations closing up the system.
Overall, the book is very well written, the facts are laid out and very readable. Though it is not necessarily a page turner, it certainly grips you and presses you to think about the consequences of letting innovations become mired in corporate ideas and rules in order to make money. Overall, I think anyone could enjoy reading this book.
The last portion of his book covers the rise of the internet and how, hypothetically, based on his studies of other empires, it can become a closed system. He defines net neutrality and how it is likely the internet can lose its neutrality because of corporations closing up the system.
Overall, the book is very well written, the facts are laid out and very readable. Though it is not necessarily a page turner, it certainly grips you and presses you to think about the consequences of letting innovations become mired in corporate ideas and rules in order to make money. Overall, I think anyone could enjoy reading this book.
zaphirenia's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book very much. All this information about the... information industry was enlightening and really useful for understanding how the world of technology and media has developed and is still developing. From a European standpoint, the conclusion in the end, the "separations principle" proposal, seems a bit like wishful thinking but nevertheless the book is very engaging, well-written and kept me constantly craving to learn more.
halfmanhalfbook's review against another edition
4.0
A book about the American media and communications empires. Included the history and where to go from here
vinayakmalik's review
4.0
Revolutions are called so because they repeat themselves. Information consumption more than ever requires informed choice about the source and the means of the content delivery
jrquinlisk's review
4.0
A surprisingly engaging book for required reading. Wu begins by detailing the birth of the telecom giants of the 20th century — AT&T's telephone system, the film empires of Hollywood, and the radio and later television networks of NBC and CBS — and how they demolished, and then supplanted, the previous monopolies of Western Union and Edison's movie companies. Wu studies these companies in the light of Joseph Schumpeter's economic theory of "creative destruction". The book finds a number of faults in attempting to apply Schumpeter's theory to the rise of the Internet without modification; while the theory seems to apply superficially, Wu argues, the resurgence of the media empires of the 20th century — this time as octopus-like media conglomerates — shows that Schumpeter's theories require considerable revision.
Wu's choice to begin his book with the David-and-Goliath story of Alexander Graham Bell and his fight with Western Union to establish a telephone system was, while not uniquely inspired, nevertheless a wise one, providing that eternal appeal of the underdog. The middle of the book, depicting the corruption of the empire's enlightened dictatorship and their eventual downfall, makes for equally engaging reading. Unfortunately, Wu's argument seemed to lose steam as it approached its conclusion. I'm not sure if this is a legitimate fault of the book or due to my own sense of urgency in completing it, but I would gladly give it a second read to make sure. I was also somewhat dismayed that Wu never covered the resoundingly successful efforts to crush grassroots initiatives for municipal computer networks; I feel this would have proven another important parallel between the birth of the telephone and the birth of the Internet. Overall, though, The Master Switch is an engaging story of corporate empires both newborn and born-again, as well as a compelling call for vigilance as the Internet continues to integrate itself into our daily lives.
Wu's choice to begin his book with the David-and-Goliath story of Alexander Graham Bell and his fight with Western Union to establish a telephone system was, while not uniquely inspired, nevertheless a wise one, providing that eternal appeal of the underdog. The middle of the book, depicting the corruption of the empire's enlightened dictatorship and their eventual downfall, makes for equally engaging reading. Unfortunately, Wu's argument seemed to lose steam as it approached its conclusion. I'm not sure if this is a legitimate fault of the book or due to my own sense of urgency in completing it, but I would gladly give it a second read to make sure. I was also somewhat dismayed that Wu never covered the resoundingly successful efforts to crush grassroots initiatives for municipal computer networks; I feel this would have proven another important parallel between the birth of the telephone and the birth of the Internet. Overall, though, The Master Switch is an engaging story of corporate empires both newborn and born-again, as well as a compelling call for vigilance as the Internet continues to integrate itself into our daily lives.
docuguy's review
5.0
Though a bit long, it does cover everything! A fascinating view of how monopoly empires grow, diffuse, and rebuild themselves.