The Machine in the Garden : Technology and the Pastoral Ideal in America

For over four decades, Leo Marx's work has focused on the relationship between technology and culture in 19th- and 20th-century America. His research helped to define--and continues to give depth to--the area of American studies concerned with the links between scientific and technological advances, and the way society and culture both determine these links. The Machine in the Garden fully examines the difference between the "pastoral" and "progressive" ideals which characterized early 19th-century American culture, and which ultimately evolved into the basis for much of the environmental and nuclear debates of contemporary society. This new edition is appearing in celebration of the 35th anniversary of Marx's classic text. It features a new afterword by the author on the process of writing this pioneering book, a work that all but founded the discipline now called American Studies.

For over four decades, Leo Marx's work has focused on the relationship between technology and culture in 19th- and 20th-century America. His research helped to define—and continues to give depth to—the area of American studies concerned with the links between scientific and technological advances, and the way society and culture both determine these links. The Machine in the Garden fully examines the difference between the pastoral and progressive ideals which characterized early 19th-century American culture, and which ultimately evolved into the basis for much of the environmental and nuclear debates of contemporary society.

This new edition is appearing in celebration of the 35th anniversary of Marx's classic text. It features a new afterword by the author on the process of writing this pioneering book, a work that all but founded the discipline now called American Studies.

Times Literary Supplement - Richard Sennett

Paradoxically, in rereading this seemingly old-fashioned book, I had the sensation of encountering something quite new and fresh; it is a cultural investigation rather than a critical performance...Rather than a monument to the past, The Machine in the Garden remains a timely book.

"For over four decades, Leo Marx's work has focused on the relationship between technology and culture in 19th- and 20th-century America. His research helped to define - and continues to enrich - the area of American studies concerned with the links between scientific and technological advances, and the way society and culture both determine these links. The Machine in the Garden fully examines the differences between the "pastoral" and "progressive" ideals that characterized early 19th-century American culture, and which ultimately evolved into the basis for many of the environmental and nuclear debates of contemporary society."--Jacket For over four decades, Leo Marx's work has focused on the relationship between technology and culture in 19th- and 20th-century America. His research helped to define--and continues to give depth to-- the area of American studies concerned with the links between scientific and technological advances, and the way society and culture both determine these links. The Machine in the Garden fully examines the difference between the ""pastoral"" and ""progressive"" ideals which characterized early 19th-century American culture, and which ultimately evolved into the basis for much of the environmental THE pastoral ideal has been used to define the meaning of America ever since the age discovery, and it has not yet lost its hold upon the native imagination.