Masters of the Word: How Media Shaped History from the Alphabet to the Internet

Methodology and Conclusions

In his research, William Bernstein masterfully weaves together the threads of history, economics, and sociology to trace the fate of the word—from the first cuneiform tablets to the digital streams of today. The author does not limit himself to a dry listing of facts: he constructs a broad panorama in which each invention in the field of communication becomes not just a technological leap, but a catalyst for social change. Bernstein draws on rich historical material, analyzing how writing, the printing press, radio, and the internet shifted the balance of power in society, expanded the horizons of freedom, and at times became instruments of manipulation. His conclusions sound both as a warning and a hope: the fate of civilization is largely determined by who possesses the word and how it is used. The book asserts that the evolution of means of communication is not only a story of progress, but also an eternal struggle for power, truth, and human dignity.