How does James Gleick suggest a book and hammer are alike?

James Gleick, in his book "The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood," suggests that a book and a hammer are alike because they both serve as tools to transmit information.

He argues that:

* A hammer is a tool that transmits force. By striking a nail, the hammer transfers its energy to the nail, driving it into the wood. This is a very direct and physical form of information transfer.

* A book is a tool that transmits knowledge. It contains information that can be accessed and understood by the reader. This is a more abstract and symbolic form of information transfer.

Gleick uses this analogy to illustrate the broad and diverse nature of information. It can be transmitted through physical objects like a hammer, or through symbolic systems like language in a book. Both tools enable us to act upon the world and shape our understanding of it.