From Talking Drums to the Internet is the story of the human quest to communicate more effectively. It reaches far back into prehistory to explore cave paintings, hieroglyphics, and smoke signals - all technological giant steps in their day. But the volume focuses primarily on the twentieth century, when the pace of innovation became an explosion and we progressed from listening to radio early in the century to watching color television at the halfway point to attempting communication with extraterrestrials at the approach of the second millennium. From Talking Drums to the Internet helps the reader make sense of this dizzying profusion of breakthroughs and their impact. More than 210 alphabetically arranged entries clearly explain the workings of each technology and its applications. They also explain the enormous social implications of important technologies, such as the printing press, radio, and television, which have already changed forever the nature and quality of life for billions of people around the world. This comprehensive volume not only brings readers up to date on the current developments in communications technology and their effects; it also helps them understand the roots of controversies, trace the course of important technological advances, and make the acquaintance of those individuals who have played particularly important roles. Its extensive illustrations, lists of references, and painstaking cross-references make it an important and timely addition to every library collection.

From Talking Drums to the Internet is the story of the human quest to communicate more effectively. It reaches far back into prehistory to explore cave paintings, hieroglyphics, and smoke signals - all technological giant steps in their day. But the volume focuses primarily on the twentieth century, when the pace of innovation became an explosion and we progressed from listening to radio early in the century to watching color television at the halfway point to attempting communication with extraterrestrials at the approach of the second millennium. From Talking Drums to the Internet helps the reader make sense of this dizzying profusion of breakthroughs and their impact. More than 210 alphabetically arranged entries clearly explain the workings of each technology and its applications. They also explain the enormous social implications of important technologies, such as the printing press, radio, and television, which have already changed forever the nature and quality of life for billions of people around the world. This comprehensive volume not only brings readers up to date on the current developments in communications technology and their effects; it also helps them understand the roots of controversies, trace the course of important technological advances, and make the acquaintance of those individuals who have played particularly important roles. Its extensive illustrations, lists of references, and painstaking cross-references make it an important and timely addition to every library collection.

'We cannot imagine life now without a mobile phone' is a frequent comment when Africans are asked about mobile phones. They have become part and parcel of the communication landscape in many urban and rural areas of Africa and the growth of mobile telephony is amazing: from 1 in 50 people being users in 2000 to 1 in 3 in 2008. Such growth is impressive but it does not even begin to tell us about the many ways in which mobile phones are being appropriated by Africans and how they are transforming or are being transformed by society in Africa. This volume ventures into such appropriation and mutual shaping. Rich in theoretical innovation and empirical substantiation, it brings together reflections on developments around the mobile phone by scholars of six African countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Sudan and Tanzania) who explore the economic, social and cultural contexts in which the mobile phone is being adopted, adapted and harnessed by mobile Africa.

It is 1971. The fictional city of Bellport, Massachusetts, is in decline with an urban redevelopment project on the horizon expected to transform this dying factory town into a thriving economic center. This transformation has a profound effect on three African American couples as their own personal transformations take place. Sydney Stallworth steps away from her fellowship and law studies at an elite university to support husband Malachi's dream of opening a business in Bellport, his hometown--The Talking Drum Bookstore and Cultural Center--which he believes will benefit from the new development coming to the city. For Omar Bassari, an immigrant from Senegal, Bellport is where he will establish his drumming career and will be the launching pad for the establishment of his drumming institute from which he will spread African culture across the world. However, he's on the verge of losing his foothold in Bellport and his marriage to college sweetheart, Natalie, as his neighbourhood prepares to be taken by eminent domain. Della Tolliver has built a fragile sanctuary in Bellport for herself and daughter Jasmine, a troubled child prone to nightmares and outbursts, but that sanctuary is in jeopardy because Della's boyfriend, local activist Kwamé Rodriguez, is--unbeknownst to her--the head of an arson ring torching buildings in the neighbourhood scheduled for demolition.Tensions rise as the demolition date moves closer and the pace of the arsons picks up.The couples find themselves at odds with a political system manipulating their lives and question the future of their relationships. The Talking Drum explores intra-racial, class, and cross-cultural tensions, along with the meaning of community and belonging.

'We cannot imagine life now without a mobile phone' is a frequent comment when Africans are asked about mobile phones. They have become part and parcel of the communication landscape in many urban and rural areas of Africa and the growth of mobile telephony is amazing: from 1 in 50 people being users in 2000 to 1 in 3 in 2008. Such growth is impressive but it does not even begin to tell us about the many ways in which mobile phones are being appropriated by Africans and how they are transforming or are being transformed by society in Africa. This volume ventures into such appropriation and mutual shaping. Rich in theoretical innovation and empirical substantiation, it brings together reflections on developments around the mobile phone by scholars of six African countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Sudan and Tanzania) who explore the economic, social and cultural contexts in which the mobile phone is being adopted, adapted and harnessed by mobile Africa.

Ways of the World is one of the most successful and innovative textbooks for world history. It includes a brief-by-design narrative that focuses on significant historical developments and broad themes in world history. With keen consideration of the needs of their student audience, authors Robert W. Strayer and Eric W. Nelson provide an insightful, big picture synthesis that helps students discern what matters most in world history--patterns and variations on both global and regional levels and continuity and change over time. Available for free when packaged with the print book, the popular digital assignment options for this text bring skill building and assessment to a highly effective level. The active learning options come in LaunchPad, which combines an accessible e-book with LearningCurve, an adaptive and automatically graded learning tool that—when assigned—helps ensure students read the book; the complete companion reader with Thinking through Sources digital exercises that help students build arguments from those sources; and many other study and assessment tools. For instructors who want the easiest and most affordable way to ensure students come to class prepared, Achieve Read & Practice pairs LearningCurve adaptive quizzing and our mobile, accessible Value Edition e-book, in one easy-to-use product.