The Medium is the Massage: An Inventory of Effects
Marshall McLuhan and Quentin Fiore
📚 Genre
Media Studies, Philosophy, Non-fiction, Art/Graphic Design
🏢 Publisher
Bantam Books (A Bantam Book)
📅 Publication Year
1967 (Original publication year of this Bantam edition)
🔢 ISBN
978-0553033489 (ISBN-13 for Bantam R3348)
About This Book
A pioneering work of media theory that explores how the medium through which content is delivered shapes human perception more than the content itself. The book is famous for its experimental layout, juxtaposing text with collage-style photography and graphic design to illustrate its 'non-linear' arguments. The title is a play on McLuhan's famous phrase 'The medium is the message.'
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
160 pages
Edition
First Bantam Mass Market Paperback Edition
Series
Stand-alone volume
Target Audience
Adult, Academic, General Audience interested in media ecology and sociology
Collector Information
Condition
Fair to Good. Visible shelf wear on the edges, significant corner bumping, and some creasing along the spine and cover. Scuffing and minor discoloration appear on the black cover wrap.
Estimated Value
$10-$25 USD
Rarity
Common. This specific Bantam mass market edition was printed in very large quantities during the late 1960s and 1970s. While vintage, it is not difficult to find on the secondary market.
Historical Significance
One of the most influential books on media theory in the 20th century. It predicted the 'Global Village' and popularized the study of media ecology. Its radical design influenced decades of graphic design and publishing.
Collector Notes
For collectors, price is heavily dependent on condition. The high-gloss black cover of this edition is prone to 'silvering' (rubbing) and edge whitening. Look for copies without spine creasing and with white, non-yellowed interior pages. Preservation should involve an acid-free archival bag to prevent further edge wear and atmospheric acidity from affecting the pulp paper.
Similar Books
Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan, Ways of Seeing by John Berger, Technopoly by Neil Postman, The Gutenberg Galaxy by Marshall McLuhan
Notable Features
Features innovative graphic design and typesetting by Quentin Fiore; includes the 'mistyped' title that became a permanent part of the book's legacy; Bantam code R3348 and original price of $1.45 visible.