The New York Times Book Review - Virginia Heffernan
Steven Johnson's Wonderland makes a swashbuckling argument for the centrality of recreation to all of human history. The book is a house of wonders itself. Marvelous circuits of prose inductors, resistors and switches simulate ordinary history so nearly as to make readers forget the real thing. Red wires connect haphazardly to blue, and sparks fly. Who needs a footnoted analysis of "the ludic," as play is known to the terminally unplayful? Barnumism of the Johnson kind is much, much more fun. If Wonderland inspires grins and well-what-d'ya-knows of legitimate wonder—and it does—it also liberates its audience to wantonly savor them.
Publishers Weekly - Audio
01/30/2017
An impressive look at how much of our modern world’s accomplishments have grown out of mankind’s need for play and relaxation. The desire for entertainment has, according to Johnson, led us to many of our cultural, industrial and technological advancements and revolutions. Johnson traces the rise of coffee from being viewed as a vile-tasting brew to, when properly promoted, popularizing coffee houses, which became stimulating and sober gathering places that sparked the sharing of ideas, eventually giving rise to revolutionary thoughts that would change society and the world. He follows the trail from basic musical instruments made out of bone to computer punch cards to modern laptops and cellphones. Newbern syncs easily with the author’s prose. His reading is straightforward and engaging. He keeps the book flowing with an earnest and sincere delivery that holds the listener’s attention. Even though he presents a lot of information in a relatively short amount of time, he never rushes and keeps his tone light. The end result is a relaxing listen that is as informative as it is enjoyable. A Riverhead hardcover. (Nov.)
Publishers Weekly
★ 10/10/2016
In this charming study, Johnson (How We Got to Now) examines how the seemingly frivolous and unproductive aspects of society—the things people do for fun, pleasure, and entertainment—have influenced, defined, and created the world. “This is a history of play,” he writes, “a history of the pastimes that human beings have concocted to amuse themselves as an escape from the daily grind of subsistence.” According to Johnson, the development of music led to the computer age, the invention of public eating and drinking establishments progressed to cultural and ideological revolution, and games of chance inspired the creation of whole new mathematical fields. In food, fashion, athletics, and commerce, Johnson explores the surprising ways in which one discovery follows from another, often over the course of centuries. “Ignore the pleasure those institutions generated,” he suggests, “and focus on the innovations or historical sea changes they helped bring about: public museums, the age of exploration, the rubber industry, stock markets, programmable computers, the industrial revolution, robots, the public sphere, global trade.” In an entertaining and accessible style, he takes tangents that arrive at sometimes startling conclusions, like a magician practicing misdirection. Less focused on the why than the how, Johnson connects the dots in a way that sheds new light on everyday concepts. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
A house of wonders itself. . . . Wonderland inspires grins and well-what-d'ya-knows” —The New York Times Book Review
“A rare gem. . . . Our illogical, enduring fascination with play remains one of life’s great mysteries. That is precisely what makes the subject so fascinating, and Wonderland such a compelling read.” —The Washington Post
“The parade of humanity Johnson presents in this lively (and generously illustrated) work leads us to the reassuring conclusion that history is often made not by nerds in lab coats, but by ingenious humans hankering for more intriguing ways to pass the time.” —O, The Oprah Magazine
“Johnson’s writing derives its appeal from his ability to illuminate complex ideas in unpretentious language . . . Johnson’s prose is nimble, his knowledge impressive . . . Wonderland is original and fun, as well it should be, given the subject.” —The San Francisco Chronicle
“Wonderland brims with. . .tidbits, memorable moments, and bits of information that light up the mind. . . .[Johnson] surprises and delights as he traces the path of how various objects of fun and fancy—mechanized dolls, follies, and music boxes—drove advances." —The Boston Globe
“Mr. Johnson’s narrative is crammed with elegantly told vignettes from the history of ideas. . . . The book is full of excellent facts.” —The Wall Street Journal
“Johnson . . . provides a compelling counterintuitive argument that the Industrial Revolution, democracy, and the computer age were all driven by diversions and appetites that historians too often ignore.” —Kirkus (starred review)
“In an entertaining and accessible style, he takes tangents that arrive at sometimes startling conclusions, like a magician practicing misdirection…Johnson connects the dots in a way that sheds new light on everyday concepts.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Johnson is a master storyteller, weaving disparate elements together into a rich and seamless tapestry of technology and human history.” —Booklist (starred review)
“An engaging survey full of unexpected connections that readers of a historical or sociological bent will find particularly riveting.” —Library Journal
Library Journal
10/15/2016
Johnson (How We Got to Now) inverts the premise that the industrial revolution and technology gave rise to a leisure class that had time for play and hobbies and instead proposes that concepts and inventions from the world of leisure contributed to the building of modern life. Both fun and invention share a need for novelty and surprise, and it is the pursuit of the new that propels history. The author demonstrates how colonialism arose not from the need for Malthusian necessities such as food staples and clothing but from an ever-increasing appetite for fresh and different goods. In addition to investigating cuisine and fashion, the book explores how nonessential activities (e.g., music, entertainment, and games) directly contributed to technological advances in computing, virtual reality, logic, and mathematics. Johnson concludes by examining how public spaces such as bars and coffee shops have occupied an important role in political revolutions and the re-creation of entire professions (journalism, insurance). VERDICT An engaging survey full of unexpected connections that readers of a historical or sociological bent will find particularly riveting.—Wade M. Lee, Univ. of Toledo Lib.
DECEMBER 2016 - AudioFile
Inventions—or rather, the genesis of them—form the focus of this audiobook. George Newbern offers his usual solid narration. He never camps up what he is reading, yet he always sounds wholly interested, and whatever he is saying draws his earnest intonations. Topics cover serious to leisure-oriented pursuits: Cotton and its economic ramifications, the spice trade, department stores and shopping, games, and the importance of music, which is at the root of many inventions, are among the areas discussed. The audiobook is geared for the most inquisitive among us, and Newbern carries it well. M.B. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine
