Book review “Sound streams: a cultural history of radio-internet convergence”, Andrew J. Bottomley (2020)

Abstract

Media and communication history tends to repeat itself: criticism and excitement welcomed every new media, from the printing press to the internet (Kovarik 2011). Radio, in particular, has survived to continuous death prophecies (Starkey 2011), but managed to converge to internet and digital media since 1990s. This is the basic historical background of Andrew Bottomley’s new book Sound Streams: A Cultural History of Radio-Internet Convergence. In doing so, Bottomley does not offer a romantic vision towards the internet and its potentialities for radio and audio productions. The author provides a set of crucial ideas in each of the seven chapters, thus presenting very accurate case studies. This is actually how the book becomes a hypertext of stories, personalities and inspirations.