The age of machines - Translations from Bertha von Suttner - By C.E. Playne

Sep 21, 2026

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“The Age of Machines” presents a historical framing in which a Germany book from 188g is said to have appeared as ten lectures with an introduction, set in a future-epoch manner and focused on the years 1885–86. It recounts how the work was widely circulated, the anonymous “Some One” preface fueled speculation, and later editions disclosed Bertha von Suttner’s authorship. The lectures’ viewpoint argues that life is development and onward movement, contrasting hopeful developmental theory with rigid mechanical determinism and its social implications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

The Age of Machines

Publication and anonymity

Authorship disclosure and reception

Core viewpoint: development and onward movement

97-84163-5Suttner,Bertha von # The age of machines [London] [191-] ## COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIESPRESERVATION DIVISIONBIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET ORIGINAL MATERIAL AS FILMED-EXISTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD 308ZBox 238 Suttner,Bertha Felicie Sophie(Kinsky)freidrauvon,1843-1914. The age of machines;translations from Berthavon Suttner,by C.E.Playne.eLondon,Women'sInternational League e191-312 p. Reproductions may not be mads without permission trom Columbia UniversityLibraries. ### RESTRICTIONS ON USE: ## TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE:35mmREDUCTION RATIO: 9:/MAGE PLACEMENT:IA IA)IIA IIB IB DATE FILMED: 8.14.97INITIALS: 13 TBACKING\#: 23792 FILMED BY PRESERVATION RESOURCES,BETHLEHEM,PA. BIBLIOGRAPHIC IRREGULARITIES MAIN ENTRY:Suttner,Bertha von ……… …… … ……… …………------ - … The age of machine… …………………… ………… … ……… …………- … ----- … … Bibliographic Irregularities in the Original Document: List all volumes and pages affected;include name of institution if filming borrowed text. Page(s)missing/not available: Volume(s)missing/not available:_ X IIlegible and/or damaged page(s): pages 11,12 Page(s)or volume(s)misnumbered: Bound out of sequence:_ Best Copy AvailableXPage(s)or volume(s)filmed from copy borrowed from: | __Other:_ | | --- | | | Inserted material: ## BEST COPYAVAILABLE ## ■ THE AGE OF MACHINES Translations from BERTHA VON SUTTNER. BY C.E.PLAYNE. ①ec.21424 512.29 THE AGE OF MACHINES. In the year 188g a book appeared in Germany bearing theabove title;it consisted of ten lectures,with an introduction,and the author's name was not given.These lectures werepresented as if given in a far-off future epoch;they purportedto be a serious effort to reconstitute a difficult historicalperiod—the latter half of the nineteenth century—the year1885-86 being specially studied as typical of the period. The author carried out this difficult,self-imposed conven-tion with great ability and deep insight.So successful wasthe reading of the signs of the times,of the actual times livedin but looked at as though in retrospection,that the bookreceived a remarkable amount of attention,and was verywidely circulated throughout Germany. The short curious preface of the book served also to excitecuriosity and attract attentionIt read thus:一 "If this time I appear anonymously before the public,it is only because my name,if given,might exclude mybook from those very circles for whom it is chiefly meant.(Signed)"SoME ONE." The question as to who this"Some One"could be was verywidely discussed,and the book was very generlly attributedto that well known writer on sociology—Max Nordau. The preface to the second edition,which came out in 18go,added to the mystification.It stated that Max Nordau haddenied the authorship of the book,and that"Some One,"though feeling flattered at having the work attributed to suchan esteemed author,still preserved anonymity.When theauthor's name should be disclosed it would be understood thatit was only in the interest of the book itself that it was beingwithheld as long as possible. The third edition of"The Age of Machines"came out in1899,and finally bore the writer's name—"Bertha vonSuttner."For,as she explains,the secret had long been 4 divulged,though not beforethe book had been read and con-sidered by people who would have paid no attention to it ifthey had realized that a woman was handling such seriousmatter.Another result,she points out,had been accom-lished.Only one"cute"American recognized t

FAQs

What is the book’s origin story in the provided text?

In the year 188g, a German book titled “The age of machines” appeared as ten lectures with an introduction, with the author initially not named.

Why was the preface important to public attention?

The short preface emphasized that the author appeared anonymously because a revealed name might keep the book from the circles it was meant for, which triggered widespread speculation.

What central idea about life and society do the lectures emphasize?

Across lectures, the standpoint is that life is development and onward movement, opposing fixed authority and contrasting this with rigid mechanical determinism that reduces society to unending struggle.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo