The Infernal Machine: A True Story of Dynamite, Terror, and the Rise of the Modern Detective Cover
Podcast Mentions

The Infernal Machine A True Story of Dynamite, Terror, and the Rise of the Modern Detective

Steven Johnson

“A fast-burning fuse of a book, every page bursting with revelatory detail.”—ERIK LARSON Steven Johnson’s engrossing account of the epic struggle between the anarchist movement and the emerging surveillance state stretches around the world and between two centuries—from Alfred Nobel’s invention of...

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Steven Johnson's The Infernal Machine was enthusiastically introduced by host Roman Mars as a deep dive into historical technology and crime. The book chronicles how the terrorist use of Alfred Nobel’s dynamite by anarchists spurred the dramatic development of modern detective work, forensic science, and sophisticated surveillance technology in response. Mars recommended the book for its detailed account of the tension between these competing technologies during a critical, explosive period in American history.

Highly Recommended

Episode: The Infernal Machine

It tells the story of how Alfred Nobel's invention of dynamite was used by anarchists for terrorism and how law enforcement used surveillance technology to combat them. The book details the rise of modern detective work and forensic science in response to the anarchist threat.

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Stephen johnson's new book is called the infernal machine a true story of dynamite terror and the rise of the modern detective

Stephen johnson's new book is called the infernal machine a true story of dynamite terror and the rise of the modern detective

Episode: The Infernal Machine

It tells the story of how dynamite, invented by Alfred Nobel, was used by anarchists for terrorism and shaped modern law enforcement's development of surveillance technology to combat it. The book details the tension between these two technologies during a highly explosive period in American history.

"

Stephen johnson's new book is called the infernal machine a true story of dynamite terror and the rise of the modern detective

Stephen tells the story of the tension between these two technologies and what we can learn from one of the most explosive periods in american history

Stephen Johnson's new book is called the infernal machine a true story of dynamite terror and the rise of the modern detective

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.