Capturing sound

Strictly American in context, Off the Record is a never less than
interesting history of the progress of sound recording from Edison’s tinfoil
success to the digital present. Sound recording is much more than recording
music, and has a revolutionary past, no less. David Morton is fascinating on
these areas, and his illustrations—”Time Master records on plastic
belt!”—are an evocative bonus. Published by Rutgers University Press,
$22, ISBN 0813527473.