In this famous volume, Jacques Ellul explores the role of technique in the modern world. In Ellul's view, ordered efficiency is the first and foremost law of the technical world, with widespread implications for human life. Modern man lives under a framework of artificial operational objectives he wasn't designed to cope with. Technique has turned men into mere resources thrown around wherever the technical system finds them most useful.

The technical system is no longer within the reach of human control: it has taken on a life of its own and constitutes an independent force consuming more and more of the non-technical world around it. Men do not use technique: technique uses men. The argument behind this is not as metaphysical as it may appear; in much Ellul is as materialistic as Marx and seeks to penetrate the social reality's "essence" just as Marx did in Capital.

The sociology and philosophy of this work is original, radical and logical. Whether you agree or disagree with Ellul, you are bound to be influenced and impressed by the intellectual effort put into this book.

Ellul's masterpiece is not an easy read, but it's a very rewarding one. His is a wake-up call similar to that of Alvin Toffler (who dismisses Ellul as "pessimistic"). More so than any other book I know, this book summarizes exactly what's gone wrong with the world and why. READ THIS BOOK!

I first read this book in college in 1971. It has had more lasting impact upon my view of the world than any other book I read at that time. I go back to it every now and again. Anyone interested in the effects of globalization and the drive to faster and faster technological change and the maximizing of shareholder value should read this book. We are driven to compartmentalize our relationships to become efficient, the ultimate law of technology. Our relationships with our families, our neighbors, our communities, our friends and our government are impacted by the drive for efficiency.

The review by Sharilee is a good summary, but I found Ellul's actual presentation to be extremely wordy and obscure. There is much to be said on this topic, but I don't think he said it at all clearly or well. My advice is to browse this book in a library before investing in your own copy.

In this book, Ellul makes a strong distinction between the "word" and the "image" as a method of perceiving and making sense of the world. He claims that the "image" has been elevated in our society beyond its original purpose and capability. The "image" is limited to the material world, to the practical and cannot probe the depths of human experience, to go beyond the surface of reality. Therefore a society based on image will be a shallow society, incapable of find ing deep truths.

He contrasts the limitations of the image with the strengths of the "word." The word, which has been humiliated in today's world, that is, lowered in status, demeaned, is capable of conveying truth and complexities that the image cannot. The word, because it is flexible and open to interpretation, is an instrument of communication and negotiation.

Ellul takes this argument and applies it to several different areas of technology and communication.

I agree wholeheartedly with his basic premise, although not with all of his applications. Sometimes his categorizations are a little unclear and confusing but overall he makes a very strong argument. He is absolutely brilliant in the way that he is able to analyze the very fundamental structure of the way we communicate and function as a society. He attacks the postmodern mindset by showing that they have a disdain for thinking and the intellect itself.

After reading the other reviews I must add a few comments.

First, you can't blame the author for lack of clarity. If you blame anyone, blame the translator. This book is translated from French and most translations are cumbersome.

Second, Jacques Ellul is a Luddite (read his "The Technological Society" and you'll see what I mean) so his conclusions are going to be anti-techonology.

Having said all that, this book challenges the assumptions of our image-driven society whether you agree with the author's conclusions or not. Jacques Ellul is a Christian but missed one important point on the image vs. word debate. And that is this: "The Word became flesh..." The Word by divine mandate became an image of God in the flesh. Also, man is made in the image of God. But Jacques Ellul is a great thinker and always provokes thought outside the traditional box.

This is a great book and deserves reading and re-reading for any writer in our image-driven society.

Aloha, Glenn