The Information Society: A Sceptical View

"A powerful analysis of our contemporary world which systematically debunks the hyperbolic and deterministic claims that are endlessly repeated about the role of new technologies in society . . . With candour and clarity, and through the use of examples, May provides alternative interpretations by analysing the complex realities of contemporary change." Stephen Graham, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

"A very engaging, even pungent, and highly accessible book. It will be a very useful student text for those who are willing to be challenged in their thinking about "the information society"."Frank Webster, University of Birmingham

"It's refreshing to read an argument that is sceptical about the wider claim being made for digital technologies but which also acknowledges the new centrality of the collection, production and dissemination of information to our economy and culture. The Information Society [ital] is a sober audit of the real state of play, and a convincing retort to those who argue digitalisation will undermine all previous power structures, rendering the state and old forms of work obsolete." Tribune

"This book offers a clear overview of the developments of ICTs and their impact on society...It is a substantial text that provides a different and thought-provoking viewpoint. It will find its way onto the shelves of academic and public libraries, as well as the personal libraries of many professionals with an interest in the information society." Managing Information

"It is highly recommended for anyone who has felt uneasy about the hype which has been generated about "the Information Society" and the "Knowledge Economy", and on a broader plan, for anyone who is concerned with social change." Martin Ward, E.Learning Age