An Introduction to Book History

by David Finkelstein, Alistair McCleery

An Introduction to Book History provides a comprehensive critical introduction to the development of the book and print culture. David Finkelstein and Alistair McCleery chart the move from spoken word to written texts, the coming of print, the book as commodity, the power and profile of readers, and the future of the book in the electronic age. 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 suggestions for further reading. Sections 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.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Books About Books, Textbooks, Reference, Research, Technology

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Professor David Finkelstein (BA, PhD, FEA, FRHistS, FRSA) is the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business at the University of Plymouth.

He has published over 70 published books, essays and refereed journal articles in areas related to nineteenth-century cultural history, print culture and media history, several of which have won awards.

His most recent work includes Movable Types: Roving Creative Printers of the Victorian World (Oxford University Press, 2018), and the 850 page edited Edinburgh History of the British and Irish Press, Volume 2: Expansion and Evolution, 1800 - 1900 (Edinburgh University Press, 2020).

Reviews

[Ana Lacuesta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo he tenido que leer tantas veces que obviamente lo voy a agregar.
Es un libro interesante e ilustrativo, a veces cae mucho más en la anécdota o en el comentario irónico para hacerlo una lectura más amena y no estrictamente académica.
Quizás no encuentren todas las respuestas a sus preguntas aquí dado que es una mera "introducción" y no profundiza en algunas cosas y las comenta más a la pasada.
Pero si me ha resultado de los mejorcitos libros de historia del libro que he tenido que leer este semestre.

[Richard Wolff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is obviously intended for a particular audience. If that includes you, you'll find a good review and discussion of book history here, that nicely balances breadth and depth.

[Raúl Mora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finkelstein offers a clear view of the rich and enlightening world of history that goes before and after every single book. Concise topics and very interesting examples in every chapter make it a great reading for the book lovers out there.

[Christina Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content was good, but the writing wasn't especially engaging. I definitely skimmed some of it.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good place to start.

[Cioran · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love books and doing research, literature or English or publishing or journalism, etc. are not the only options for you, there is also this exciting new field of book history!

[marianne amelie · Rating 2 out of 5]

did not like, i would rather be haunted by Gutenberg and his moveable type printing machine

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing synthesis of the scholarship in this vein. Though pitched at a undergraduate audience (most obvious in the questions to ponder at the end of each chapter), there is nothing condescending about its tone. Moreover, though it treats things in a cursory way in order to convey breadth, it does so without feeling like it sacrifices much more than depth. In other words, it provides more than enough to let you know which aspects/elements/studies you (as reader) would like to follow up on.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

nonfiction,history,books

[Karie Westermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm finding it very entertaining. I should probably find that a bit worrying..

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For readers seeking an accessible introduction to academic literature on the development of printing technology and the book, this is a great overview. It will not be for everyone but I loved it

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

An OK read for what it was. Unfortuantely, I already knew most of it, so it was a little boring.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, concise, overview of book history.