A Social History of Knowledge II

From the Encyclopaedia to Wikipedia

Nonfiction, History
Cover of the book A Social History of Knowledge II by Peter Burke, Wiley
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Peter Burke ISBN: 9780745659619
Publisher: Wiley Publication: April 17, 2013
Imprint: Polity Language: English
Author: Peter Burke
ISBN: 9780745659619
Publisher: Wiley
Publication: April 17, 2013
Imprint: Polity
Language: English

Peter Burke follows up his magisterial Social History of Knowledge, picking up where the first volume left off around 1750 at the publication of the French Encyclopédie and following the story through to Wikipedia. Like the previous volume, it offers a social history (or a retrospective sociology of knowledge) in the sense that it focuses not on individuals but on groups, institutions, collective practices and general trends.

The book is divided into 3 parts. The first argues that activities which appear to be timeless - gathering knowledge, analysing, disseminating and employing it - are in fact time-bound and take different forms in different periods and places. The second part tries to counter the tendency to write a triumphalist history of the 'growth' of knowledge by discussing losses of knowledge and the price of specialization. The third part offers geographical, sociological and chronological overviews, contrasting the experience of centres and peripheries and arguing that each of the main trends of the period - professionalization, secularization, nationalization, democratization, etc, coexisted and interacted with its opposite.

As ever, Peter Burke presents a breath-taking range of scholarship in prose of exemplary clarity and accessibility. This highly anticipated second volume will be essential reading across the humanities and social sciences.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Peter Burke follows up his magisterial Social History of Knowledge, picking up where the first volume left off around 1750 at the publication of the French Encyclopédie and following the story through to Wikipedia. Like the previous volume, it offers a social history (or a retrospective sociology of knowledge) in the sense that it focuses not on individuals but on groups, institutions, collective practices and general trends.

The book is divided into 3 parts. The first argues that activities which appear to be timeless - gathering knowledge, analysing, disseminating and employing it - are in fact time-bound and take different forms in different periods and places. The second part tries to counter the tendency to write a triumphalist history of the 'growth' of knowledge by discussing losses of knowledge and the price of specialization. The third part offers geographical, sociological and chronological overviews, contrasting the experience of centres and peripheries and arguing that each of the main trends of the period - professionalization, secularization, nationalization, democratization, etc, coexisted and interacted with its opposite.

As ever, Peter Burke presents a breath-taking range of scholarship in prose of exemplary clarity and accessibility. This highly anticipated second volume will be essential reading across the humanities and social sciences.

More books from Wiley

Cover of the book Introduction to X-Ray Powder Diffractometry by Peter Burke
Cover of the book Environmental Science For Dummies by Peter Burke
Cover of the book Wellbeing: A Complete Reference Guide, Wellbeing in Later Life by Peter Burke
Cover of the book AARP J.K. Lasser's 1001 Deductions and Tax Breaks 2011 by Peter Burke
Cover of the book The Handbook of Language Teaching by Peter Burke
Cover of the book Barbarians of Wealth by Peter Burke
Cover of the book High Temperature Processing of Milk and Milk Products by Peter Burke
Cover of the book The New Yorker Book of Baseball Cartoons by Peter Burke
Cover of the book The Happy, Healthy Nonprofit by Peter Burke
Cover of the book Reverse Engineering Deals on Wall Street with Microsoft Excel by Peter Burke
Cover of the book ICH Quality Guidelines by Peter Burke
Cover of the book MS Project 2007 fur Dummies by Peter Burke
Cover of the book A Guide to the Economic Removal of Metals from Aqueous Solutions by Peter Burke
Cover of the book Functional Organic and Hybrid Nanostructured Materials by Peter Burke
Cover of the book The Shaping School Culture Fieldbook by Peter Burke
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy