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Studies in Print Culture and the History of the Book
A History of Reading in the West
Books and other texts have not always been read in the way that we read them today. The modern practice of reading―privately, silently, with the eyes alone―is only one way of reading, which for many centuries existed alongside other forms. In the ancient world, in the Middle Ages, and as late as the seventeenth century, many texts were written for the voice. They were addressed to the ear as much as the eye, and they used forms that were oriented toward the demands of oral performance. This is one of the themes explored in this landmark volume. Written by a distinguished group of international contributors, it analyzes the transformations of reading methods and materials over the ages, showing that revolutions of reading have generally preceded revolutions of the book. The authors examine not only the technical innovations that changed physical aspects of books and other texts, but also the evolving forms of reading and the growth and transformation of the reading public. The volume will be invaluable to students of cultural history and to all those who want a fresh perspective on the history of books and their uses.
496 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 17, 2011
Es un libro excelente, lleno de buena información y bastante ameno. Además, está interesantísimo.
El único problema es el último capítulo, donde al parecer a los autores se les olvidaron por completo las 450 páginas que lo preceden y caen en el drama, la predicción del fin de la lectura, crisis porque ya nadie lee, porque la gente lee pura mierda, etc etc etc cuando ellos mismos acaban de probar que se tratan de constantes a lo largo de la historia. Esto sólo prueba que los humanos estamos demasiado llenos de prejuicios para poder interpretar el presente o hacer predicciones del futuro.
Lean este libro, pero sáltense el último capítulo. De todas maneras fue escrito en el 93 y claramente nada de lo que predijeron sucedió.
El único problema es el último capítulo, donde al parecer a los autores se les olvidaron por completo las 450 páginas que lo preceden y caen en el drama, la predicción del fin de la lectura, crisis porque ya nadie lee, porque la gente lee pura mierda, etc etc etc cuando ellos mismos acaban de probar que se tratan de constantes a lo largo de la historia. Esto sólo prueba que los humanos estamos demasiado llenos de prejuicios para poder interpretar el presente o hacer predicciones del futuro.
Lean este libro, pero sáltense el último capítulo. De todas maneras fue escrito en el 93 y claramente nada de lo que predijeron sucedió.
November 15, 2025
La recta final trae regalos sabrosos
June 28, 2022
Oficialmente el libro más largo que leí, orgulloso de mí mismo 😌. Me lo compré por Mercado Libre y lo llené de stickers, quedó muy fachero 😎.
A excepción de algún que otro capítulo (cof cof el de lectura en las comunidades hebreas medievales cof cof), RECONTRA interesante todo. No soy tan fan de la historia, pero verla desde el punto de vista de cómo leemos y escribimos me encantó.
Me hubiera gustado un capítulo sobre la lectura en el siglo XXI, pero bueno es un libro de los 90 así que medio difícil eso lolazo.
Y por último, AGUANTE la materia Historia de la Lectura y la Escritura y AGUANTE su profesora, que en este cuatri la dio sola, María Celia Labandeira 🥳.
A excepción de algún que otro capítulo (cof cof el de lectura en las comunidades hebreas medievales cof cof), RECONTRA interesante todo. No soy tan fan de la historia, pero verla desde el punto de vista de cómo leemos y escribimos me encantó.
Me hubiera gustado un capítulo sobre la lectura en el siglo XXI, pero bueno es un libro de los 90 así que medio difícil eso lolazo.
Y por último, AGUANTE la materia Historia de la Lectura y la Escritura y AGUANTE su profesora, que en este cuatri la dio sola, María Celia Labandeira 🥳.
September 24, 2021
Un libro muy interesante como iniciático para el inicio en la Historia de la lectura, con un gran experto a la cabeza, Chartier. Esta lectura ha iniciado en mi interés por la literatura picaresca, pero todavía me queda mucho por aprender, sobre todo por la época de mi interés.
November 6, 2025
Si tratta della prima opera al mondo ad aver affrontato in maniera sistematica la storia della lettura. Argomento spinoso, in quanto i dati a disposizione sono pochi e molto difficili da ricucire fra loro, ma a mio parere i curatori ci sono riusciti perfettamente.
Si tratta di una collazione di articoli di vari professori universitari, per la maggior parte scritti veramente bene, al punto che si leggono con grande piacere e interesse. La narrazione dei fatti, con molteplici esempi, è ottimamente bilanciata con la spiegazione dei nessi e processi storici dietro l'evoluzione del concetto di lettura.
Bisogna dire che non è un libro semplice. Si da per scontata una serie di nozioni storiche abbastanza avanzate, sulla storia della stampa, la storia di luoghi come monasteri e università, e ancora la complessa storia della riforma. Detto questo, approciando quest'opera con le giuste basi se ne uscirà molto gratificati, per il modo maturo e puntuale di affrontare certi temi molto difficili, esposti per altro molto chiaramente.
5 stelle proprio per il sovrapporsi di un argomento estremamente curioso, di nicchia quasi, trattato con un metodo storico di alto livello ma soprattutto scritto con grande abilità e sapienza.
Si tratta di una collazione di articoli di vari professori universitari, per la maggior parte scritti veramente bene, al punto che si leggono con grande piacere e interesse. La narrazione dei fatti, con molteplici esempi, è ottimamente bilanciata con la spiegazione dei nessi e processi storici dietro l'evoluzione del concetto di lettura.
Bisogna dire che non è un libro semplice. Si da per scontata una serie di nozioni storiche abbastanza avanzate, sulla storia della stampa, la storia di luoghi come monasteri e università, e ancora la complessa storia della riforma. Detto questo, approciando quest'opera con le giuste basi se ne uscirà molto gratificati, per il modo maturo e puntuale di affrontare certi temi molto difficili, esposti per altro molto chiaramente.
5 stelle proprio per il sovrapporsi di un argomento estremamente curioso, di nicchia quasi, trattato con un metodo storico di alto livello ma soprattutto scritto con grande abilità e sapienza.
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March 4, 2017Letto nel periodo universitario per la tesi. Ma i ricordi, relativi a questo testo, sono veramente scarsi, perciò credo che presto lo rileggerò. Anche perché mi è rimasta la sensazione di una buona lettura.
March 20, 2020
A History of Reading in the West aims to set out the evolution of reading patterns in the Western world, ‘ranging from Ancient Greece to the Internet’, and to analyse the ‘relationship between reading and society’. The editors have outlined the importance of the ‘changing forms of reading and the growth and transformation of the reading public’, an intrinsic element in conducting such a study. They also state that ‘a comprehensive history of reading and readers must… consider the historicity of ways of using, comprehending and appropriating texts’.
Many different scholars have contributed to the volume, each focusing on a different period of literature. The book includes many different sections and sub-sections which deal with such elements as ‘The Invention of Silent Reading’, ‘Written Culture in the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries’, ‘The Synagogue as Public Library’, ‘The Dangers of Reading’ and ‘What the Illiterate Read’.
A History of Reading in the West covers such aspects of reading as ‘degrees of reading competence’ and ‘how texts can be read, and read differently, by readers who use different intellectual methods’. Quotes have been included throughout which each contributor then builds upon. A long introduction also delineates what the book wishes to cover and how it aims to do so. A wealth of notes have been added to each section and an enormous bibliography has been included.
A History of Reading in the West is a very in-depth and far-reaching account, which is generally well-written. It would be a good reference point for students at undergraduate level or higher, particularly as the information one is looking for is relatively easy to find.
Many different scholars have contributed to the volume, each focusing on a different period of literature. The book includes many different sections and sub-sections which deal with such elements as ‘The Invention of Silent Reading’, ‘Written Culture in the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries’, ‘The Synagogue as Public Library’, ‘The Dangers of Reading’ and ‘What the Illiterate Read’.
A History of Reading in the West covers such aspects of reading as ‘degrees of reading competence’ and ‘how texts can be read, and read differently, by readers who use different intellectual methods’. Quotes have been included throughout which each contributor then builds upon. A long introduction also delineates what the book wishes to cover and how it aims to do so. A wealth of notes have been added to each section and an enormous bibliography has been included.
A History of Reading in the West is a very in-depth and far-reaching account, which is generally well-written. It would be a good reference point for students at undergraduate level or higher, particularly as the information one is looking for is relatively easy to find.
February 17, 2018
En estos ensayos, escritos de forma clara y sencilla, se da a conocer las costumbres lectoras a lo largo de la historia: en voz alta, en silencio, gustos literarios. Y a la par, algo que va de la mano, la historia del libro.
También, trata el problema de la alfabetización. Como es que pasa de unos cuantos lectores a un número mayor de ellos.
También, trata el problema de la alfabetización. Como es que pasa de unos cuantos lectores a un número mayor de ellos.
January 23, 2021
Imprescindible si quieres investigar en este ámbito. Interesante si no, si quieres saber y comprender el mundo actual.
June 2, 2022
Al tratarse de una obra colectiva las irregularidades son del todo esperables. Pero los buenos capítulos –verbigracia: los dedicados a la antigüedad clásica, el de la lectura humanista, el que trata el siglo XVIII– compensan con mucho los capítulos menos agradables.
De lo mejor que he leído este año.
De lo mejor que he leído este año.
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February 22, 2023Muy académico, más que divulgativo.
April 16, 2024
Muy interesante como muestra la evolución de la lectura desde lo más primitivo hasta lo más actual
October 10, 2008
No surprises here, the title pretty much sums it: a history of reading in the west. The book covers a pretty broad time span from the Greeks to the 19th century. I know that everyone who gets my updates is going to ask themselves, "WTF, isn't this possibly the most boring book ever?" To which I can only respond, that the changing methods of reading are surprisingly interesting in as much as they impact how readers interpret and understand texts. Granted, for a more theoretical and interesting take on the subject, I would suggest Alberto Manguel's "A History of Reading."
September 16, 2007
Excellent work on the history of reading and the press.
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July 12, 2010The essays could be useful for some, depending on what sort of subject they're looking for. For my paper, it was mostly a very large haystack for very few needles.
July 19, 2012
Style verges on the turgid, and the introduction goes on so long that one needs to refuel before continuing. Overall, the book offers an interesting series of glimpses of history.
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July 25, 2016028.9094 S8845 1999
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews