Reviews
The book is arguably the one technology that has made all others possible... What Howard does is provide an exceedingly accessible retelling of the book's life story, one that shows precisely how books represent a peak of technology, giving permanence and form to ideas and relevance and resonance to their readers.
A very succinct history of the book that will be quite useful, in introductory book history courses as a survey text (or by any bibliophile who wants to know more.)
An excellent, clearly written, and accessible introduction to the history of the book and the printing press. Highly recommended both for book history students and interested general audiences.
Book Details
Introduction
Timeline
1. Ancestors: Books before Print
2. Infancy: The Earliest Printed Books, 1450–1500
3. Youth: Books in the Sixteenth Century
4. Adulthood: Early-Modern Books, 1600–1800
5. Maturity
Introduction
Timeline
1. Ancestors: Books before Print
2. Infancy: The Earliest Printed Books, 1450–1500
3. Youth: Books in the Sixteenth Century
4. Adulthood: Early-Modern Books, 1600–1800
5. Maturity: Books in the Age of Automation, 1800–1900
6. The Future of Books: Twentieth Century and Beyond
Glossary
Bibliography
Index