The Broadview Introduction to Book History

by Michelle Levy, Tom Mole

Book history has emerged in the last twenty years as one of the most important new fields of interdisciplinary study. It has produced new interpretations of major historical events, has made possible new approaches to history, literature, media, and culture, and presents a distinctive historical perspective on current debates about the future of the book. The Broadview Introduction to Book History provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to this field. Written in a lively, accessible style, chapters on materiality, textuality, printing and reading, intermediality, and remediation guide readers through numerous key concepts, illustrated with examples from literary texts and historical documents produced across a wide historical range. An ideal text for undergraduate and graduate courses in book history, it offers a road map to this dynamic inter-disciplinary field.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Books About Books

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2014

Reviews

[Sam Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 stars!

The book is not one thing: it's a shape-shifter that adapts with alacrity to new technologies, new markets, and new consumer demands.

If you're looking for a comprehensive academic analysis of book history, complete with insightful comments and interesting arguments, then this is for you. The editors clearly did their research, making this (in my opinion) a very helpful introduction to book history as a field of scholarship. The perfect academic read for an obsessed little bookworm like me!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated the way this book was written. The authors explain everything really well and keep it interesting even when the subject matter is dry. Solid introduction to the field of book history/bibliography.

[Jennifer DuBose · Rating 5 out of 5]

You really do need to read the introduction book before reading the big one. It’s great.

[Jessica DMJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book every humanities scholar should read. I wish I read it earlier; should definitely be required reading for undergraduates. I learned a lot of fundamentals about print & book history & culture. It's really short, accessible, and easy to read! I will definitely be getting my own copy sometime.

[Mills College Library]

002.09 B8636 2014

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book genuinely provides what the title promises, which, given the field it describes, is an extraordinary achievement. Despite my research interests and my professional involvement with book history, this nonetheless brought a large number of nuances to my attention, and filled in many gaps and absences in my knowledge.

I couldn't recommend any book more highly as an introduction to this topic, either for students or for the general reader. It is precise and careful in its deployment of technical language, which can be traced in a glossary at the rear. Truly a gem of its kind.

[Sebastian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it for class, essays inside were very obtuse and annoying but some were fascinating

[Sebastian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it for class, boring as hell but pretty interesting at times

[Sofia 🍉]

Such a wonderfully insightful and fascinating read, with a range of essays included on book history, modern day readership, book marketing and general book and manuscript culture.

Suited for: undergraduates, postgraduates, graduate students, and more advanced scholars.