This second edition of An Introduction to Book History provides a comprehensive critical introduction to the development of the book and print culture. Each fully revised and updated chapter contains new material and covers recent developments in the field.
This second edition of An Introduction to Book History provides a comprehensive critical introduction to the development of the book and print culture. Each fully revised and updated chapter contains new material and covers recent developments in the field, including:
The Postcolonial Book
Censorship by states and religions
Social History, and the recognition of underrepresentation of its value to book history studies
Contemporary publishing
Each section begins with a summary of the chapter's aims and contents, followed by a detailed discussion of the relevant issues, concluding with a summary of the chapter and points to ponder. Sections include:
the history of the book
orality to Literacy
literacy to printing
authors, authorship and authority
printers, booksellers, publishers, agents
readers and reading
the future of the book.
An Introduction to Book History is an ideal introduction to this exciting field of study, and is designed as a companion text to The Book History Reader.
'David Finkelstein and Alistair McCleery have written an excellent introduction to the history of the book. This concise volume covers the major aspects of book history to introduce the novice or to refresh the memory of the scholar... the book as a whole provides a starting place for further discussion and exploration into the history of literacy, the book, and ideas about reading and text.' - Millie Jackson, Libraries and the Cultural Record
