The History of the Book
2 total works
From cave paintings to computers, this overview of the history of books and communication is written for the layperson and student. It provides clear information on how books shaped and reflected major social, political, and literary developments. As a general guide, it moves from the earliest writing in the Middle East and Egypt to Greece, Rome, and early Christian contributions to book production and literacy. Major sections discuss publishing during the Middle Ages and how the invention of printing drastically changed and improved the distribution of knowledge. Later chapters take the reader from the age of encyclopedias in the seventeenth century to the great technological advances of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. For those who wish to pursue specific areas in the history of the book in greater detail, there are three parts devoted to additional reading with descriptive, critical annotations: general histories and bibliographies, scribes and printers, and printing to the modern period. Extensive notes and documentation will lead to additional sources.
This collection of scholarly articles traces the history of book illustration from its first notion in cave art to the early 20th century. It is arranged chronologically with the first section covering the beginning of illustration; the second moves from the illuminated manuscript to the advent of printing; the third and fourth takes the reader from the earliest woodcut illustrations to the beginning of the 20th century; and the final part is concerned with children's books. An annotated bibliography follows which will lead the reader to additional delights and discoveries. The contributors are distinguished art historians as well as well known anthropologists, members of Classics and English departments, librarians, historians, and educators. The contributions have been chosen to cover areas, points, or ideas not generally covered in the basic histories of illustration. Other criteria for inclusion have been the readable style of the author, offering of new insights into the subject, and current reporting on the field. All the articles chosen are in English. Black and white illustrations are provided to support the authors' presentations.