The Language of Things

I note the appearance of a new study of design in the twentieth century by Deyan Sudjic, director ot the Design Museum. From the reviews, it looks to contain all sorts of interesting material on changing ideas of permanent value, design obsolescence and the contemporary love affair with shiny things; all of which issues have significant quasi-religious contexts to consider.
It is reviewed by Fiona MacCarthy in the Guardian and by Stephen Bayley in Building Design.