プリンストン大学出版局の好評を博した圧巻の情報史事典Information : A Historical Companion（2021年）のエッセンスを抜き出しペーパーバックで刊行する普及版。Thanks to recent advances, we now enjoy seemingly unlimited access to information. How did information become so central to our everyday lives? This book traces the global emergence of information practices and technologies across pivotal epochs and regions, providing invaluable historical perspectives on the ways information has shaped and been shaped by societies. Featuring the core articles from the ultimate reference book Information: A Historical Companion, this short history will appeal to anyone seeking to understand our modern mania for an informed existence.