The Information

Summary

A sweeping history of information itself, intended for general readers interested in science, technology, and the shape of modern life. Gleick traces a long arc from African talking drums and the invention of writing through telegraphy, Claude Shannon's mathematical theory, and the rise of the internet. He argues that information is not merely a tool but a fundamental property of the universe, and that grasping its history is essential to navigating an age of overwhelming data.