His name may not be as well known as that of his colleague and spiritual descendent, Marshall McLuhan, but Harold Innis's (1894-1952) influence on contemporary critical media and communication studies has been no less profound. This concise look at Innis's life and contributions to the communication field charts his beginnings in political economy to his later work in critical media studies and communications history, synthesizing his key publications and clearly showing their ongoing resonance for the field today. The book also includes an appendix by William J. Buxton on the 'History of Communications' manuscript and one by J. David Black on the contributions of Mary Quayle Innis.

"Paul Heyer has written an excellent introduction to [Innis's] books. His overviews of Innis's writings are clear, concise, and instructive. They should pique the interest of budding scholars and perhaps even sharpen the perceptions and understandings of veteran students of communications. The strength of Heyer's commentary is that it places Innis's contribution to communications theory in context. With Heyer as a guide, a student interested in Innis's profound contribution to our understanding of the pervasive influence of communications upon human cultures should be able to navigate through the rocks and shoals of his turgid prose." - Technology and Culture