Interweaving media theory and historical analysis; this book explores the effect new digital-telecommunication technologies; which Deibert calls hypermedia; will have on the distribution of political power in the next century. Deibert tracks the transformation of Europe from the medieval to the modern and then turns to the hypermedia age; where new digital technologies such as the Internet; encryption; and high-resolution satellite imaging favor nonterritorial institutions and communities; shifting political authority and policymaking from individual nations to transnational corporations; global financial markets; and nongovernmental organizations and activists.
#1051696 in Books 2009-11-17 2009-09-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .65 x 6.00l; .88 #File Name: 0230618006223 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Witnesses of one of world's great deplacementsBy Theodore BosworthThe relatively rapid demise of the Jewish community in Baghdad; largely between the years 1940 and 1960; is well captured in these personal histories; which provide the context for the one of the great population deplacements in modern history. While there are many parallels between the story of the Jews of Iraq and those of Germany; including their integration to the fabric of society; the role of the Jews in Iraq was ultimately far greater in regard to their cultural and economic participation in society. This is a riveting book because the witnesses are articulate and recount both their intimate relationship with their 2500 year history in Baghdad and their sense of alienation. By touching on the reasons for a sudden surge of antisemitism; the books sews together many disparate parts of world history at the time; including the goals of the British empire; the creation of Israel; and the surge in interest in communism among the working classes. I loved this book. One digests important historical information while reading simple and captivating personal accounts of heroism and disappointment.10 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Insider Point of ViewBy solo2wingsHaving being born in Bagdad; Iraq; I consider myself qualified to judge this book from the point of view of a participant in the events described by its characters. I am an Iraqi Jew who is no relation to either of the Shasha authors. Currently I live in Israel.This book is superb in its delicate handling of the memories of those who were the last remnants of a thriving and vibrant community. The authors let their characters describe their lives and those of their close ones as they saw fit; capturing their feelings; the importance of the events to the characters and without detracting from the total picture.I have read a lot of books in my lifetime; and many on the same period; this book has managed to capture the essence of the Iraqi Jewish community in Iraq in clear and unequivocal terms.Fahim Shasha
