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This project is an accessible exploration of the central role of auditory experience in American life, building from two core themes: that sound is the newest of our senses, having been reborn in twentieth century audio technologies; and that we vastly underrate spoken language and music as vital portals to the culture.

“Gary Woodward argues for the central importance of human hearing and celebrates our auditory prowess. Woodward, a specialist in communication theory, ranges far afield here, covering anatomy, technology, psychology, and culture and shedding light on topics from sound recording to film scores to the weaponizing of sound. Every chapter provides entertaining and illuminating information about the centrality of hearing and sound to human experience.”  Amazon Reviews

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https://theperfectresponse.pages.tcnj.edu/files/2025/07/Sonic-Imperative-Draft-Corrections-second-reformating-May-12-2-final-revision-submitted.pdf

Also available at Amazon.com 335 pages, $17.50

                     Chapter List 

1. 

   Introduction 

Part I: Human Equipment

2. Hearing and the Motivation to Listen 
3. Orality: Breaking the Codes of Culture 

Part II: Natural, Organized and Disorganized Sound

4. Functional Ambiance and the Clutter of Noise 
5. Capturing and Storing Sound 
6. The Refuge of Music 
7. The Wildcard of Acoustic Space.
8. Hollywood and the Art of Sound  Design

Part III: The Assault on Hearing

9. Weaponizing Noise 
10. Creating Aural Islands 
11. Conclusion: Preserving the Most Consequential Sense