Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEWS

The Ascent of Media: From Gilgamesh to Google via Gutenburg

Buy now on Amazon "Roger Parry's scholarly journey through the history of media contains important lessons for today's digital pioneers Roger Parry is a wise, experienced media operator and observer. His range is wide – across books, comics, radio, movies, video games, theatre and more – with eclectic taste and a gift for detail. But one theme, essentially, covers all. He perceives a public hunger for information, entertainment, and shared experience growing invention by invention, device by device: he extrapolates Aristotle's city on a global scale. He stresses ways as well as means. Were Defoe and mates the first bloggers? Were the random collection of contributors who compiled the earliest news sheets really citizen journalists? He binds evolving society and accelerating communication together. He seems to see the whole picture.So we can finally begin to get a handle on a future that, in essence if not in precise physical form, our children's children will recognize 50 years hence. And Parry's textbook? That may be still read for its scholarship and plain old-fashioned common sense by students of life itself." – Peter Preston, The Observer, London., December 19, 2011 (download the PDF) or (read full review) "Whatever the technology, mankind has always enjoyed a good story. The Ascent of Media tells a cracking story with a cornucopia of insights. Read Roger Parry and you're equipped to imagine where digital media might take us next.” -- Peter Bazalgette, Royal Television Society “Media are going through huge changes. This book provides a thought provoking read and a terrific insight into where we are now and where media might go next.” - James Palumbo, founder of Ministry of Sound "The aptly titled Ascent of Media is a must for anyone with even a passing interest in today’s vast and exploding world of media. From students of the industry to the leaders of businesses who may struggle to know how to spend their shareholders’ advertising money wisely, Roger Parry provides insights into what is really happening in the digital chaos of the twenty first century…” – Richard Wheatly, Chief Executive of Jazz FM “The Ascent of Media is a wonderful overview of the history of all forms of media and the key people responsible for their development. It leaves the reader in no doubt as to its power to influence our opinions and emotions, leverage commercial and political messages, stimulate the senses and at the same time enhance our productivity.” - Neil Blackley, former Head of UK and European Media Research, Merrill Lynch “Roger Parry provides a fascinating narrative of media past, present and future which will inform all practitioners and all who are interested in the development of the zeitgeist and of great forces in society. The shape of the media is constantly altered by changes in technology, lifestyles and fashion, and the media affect all political, commercial, cultural and scientific developments.” – Claire Enders, media analyst

"Roger Parry is extra-ordinarily well placed to provide this informed tour d’horizon of media. It is rare to find insight illuminated by both creative and commercial expertise. But no appraisal of the development of modern media would be complete without such an inclusive perspective. Parry is exceptionally well placed to provide it." - Richard Eyre, Chairman of the UK Internet advertising bureau and former CEO of Capital Radio plc and ITV "The truth is, history isn’t written by the winners. It’s written by the media. In The Ascent of Media, Roger Parry traces mankind’s journey from clay tablets to computer tablets. The tools may have changed, but the basic storyline has not. The media still writes about the successes and failures of mankind. After reading Mr. Parry’s book, we’d chalk it up as one of the successes." - David Bernstein and Beau Fraser, co-authors of Death to all Sacred Cows
"Parry has been employed within the media world for more than 30 years—in advertising, market research, public relations, radio programming, television programming, newspaper publishing and entertainment. Parry presents the history not so much chronologically as by category, analyzing the technology, politics and economics shaping each of what he describes as ‘the 16 main media types.’ They are, in Parry's order of presentation: theater, books, pictures, posters, postal systems, newspapers, magazines, comics, telegraph, telephone, recorded sound, radio, cinema, television, video games and the Web.” - USA Today



Enterprise: The Leadership Role

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Critical Acclaim for Enterprise:

'As some infamous business names have crashed it is important to be reminded that enterprise still matters and leadership counts. Roger Parry takes us back to basics, but with contemporary insights and the practicalities that come from real experience.' - Michael Earl, Dean of Templeton College, Oxford.

'The great strength of Roger Parry's contribution is that it is a rigorous attempt to describe the conflicting and ever-changing requirements that face a chief executive. Parry is himself a CEO, and heads Clear Channel International. Building on his own experience, he provides a logical and comprehensive checklist of the huge range of issues that a CEO must address. Parry covers the field well. I would recommend this book to CEOs - and to business journalists, so that they can appreciate the challenges faced by the bosses they write about.' - Sir Paul Judge (read full review)

'With lucidity, common sense and deep knowledge Roger Parry charts a ten-fold course that every leader and would-be leader can and should follow.' - Robert Heller, best-selling business writer and author of The Fusion Manager.

'Enterprise will be a must-have guide to being a better CEO, whatever kind of business you run.' - Robert Worcester, Chairman MORI.

'Enterprise brings the personal experience of a great corporate leader.' - Sarah Hogg, Chair 3i ..."



Making Cities Work

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"food for thought....lavishly illustrated..."

Surveyor, February 2004

"both visual and informative, packed with facts, concepts and design innovation..."

Media Week, 18 May 2004

"a feel good book about feel goodarchitecture...the photographs draw the reader in...manyand varied examples...highly recommended..."

Building Engineer, July 04

"of particular interest to planners and thoseworking in the fields of social development and urbaninfrastructure..."

Perspective, July 04

"beautifully illustrated...superbphotography...will inspire you..."

Accounting &Business, July 04

"a colourful and accessible guide to good practicein urban design ...an enjoyable and educational read..."

Regeneration & Renewal, 22 October 04

"well illustrated...this book could act as acatalyst..."

Urban Design, August 2006



People Businesses

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“A valuable insight into the rapidly growing world of professional firms”

Management Today 1991

With insights from McKinsey, WCRS and Aegis a clear guide to running a businesses where the ‘assets go up and down in the lift’”

Independent 1991

“From the Development Director of Aegis ( ex Saatchi and WCRS) a valuable and practical management guide to agencies”

Campaign 1991