The Book Before Printing: Ancient, Medieval and Oriental by Diringer, David [Dover Publications, 2011] (Paperback) [Paperback]

by Diringer

The Book Before Ancient, Medieval and Oriental by Diringer, David [...

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Books About Books, Medieval, Reference

Paperback

First published March 1, 1982

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about this book. It was full of facts about books from cultures I had never even heard about which I liked but it read like a 600 page widipekia article which for one page of the widipekia is OK but for 600 pages of reading, well, give me a break. I stumbled my way through it. It is a reprint of the 1953 book "The Hand Printed Book" which may explain the stilted style.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The overview is comprehensive and easy to follow. Unfortunately, Diringer makes no attempt to hide his western-centric viewpoint, which is tiresome. (Case in point: Asia is called an "outlying region.") The book was originally published in 1953, which explains some of this attitude.

[Ilham Nurwansah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of writing tradition over the world.

[Wifey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nerd out on the history of paper, glue, ink and books. More a technical text than a layman's history. great for a reference book.

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

While really a reference book and at time a little too complete, it is a fascinating read at times.