Noise Taylor, Rupert

The physics of sound is one thing. The meaning of noise is another entirely. Rupert Taylor digs into the cacophony of modern life — jet engines overhead, jackhammers at dawn, the neighbour's stereo at 2am — and asks why some sounds drive us mad while others soothe. He traces noise through history, psychology, and urban planning, exploring how what we hear shapes how we live. From industrial din to acoustic design, this is a sharp, curious look at the soundtrack of civilization and why silence has become a luxury. Perfect for anyone who's ever wondered why open-plan offices feel like psychological warfare, or why that one frequency makes your teeth hurt.