The History of the Book in 100 Books: The Complete Story, from Egypt to e-Book - Hardcover

Cave, Roderick; Ayad, Sara

3.81

181 ratings by Goodreads

9781770854062: The History of the Book in 100 Books: The Complete Story, from Egypt to e-Book

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1770854061 ISBN 13: 9781770854062

Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd, 2014

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A study of books through history is a study of human history.

In The History of the Book in 100 Books, the author explores 100 books that have played a critical role in the creation and expansion of books and all that they bring -- literacy, numeracy, expansion of knowledge, religion, political theory, oppression, liberation, and much more. The book is ordered chronologically and divided thematically. Each of the 100 sections focuses on one book that represents a particular development in the evolution of books and in turn, world history and society. Abundant photographs inform and embellish.

Here are some of the themes discussed:

In the Beginning -- first human scratches on cave walls, cuneiform tablets, papyrus books, the oldest table of prime numbers

Eastern Approaches -- 1,000 years before Europe, the Far East "publishes" books using paper and other writing surfaces in multiple -- in one case 11,000 -- volumes

The Great Classics -- the emergence of Aesop's Fables over 2,000 years ago; the first cookbook, by Apicius, reveals the excesses of the Roman empire

Medieval Worlds and the Book -- the illuminated Book of Kells survives Viking raids; Ptolemy puts the world on a map; the miraculous beauty of the Prayer Books and Books of Hours

Light From the East -- the oldest printed book of all: Diamond Sutra; the first novel, Tale of Genji (written by a woman no less); the first book of astronomy and the first book of anatomy

Wheels of Change -- a period of firsts: Gutenberg invents moveable type; the first blockbuster; the first joke book; the first printing in Africa; printing in Arabic; first printed music

Print and Steam -- technology puts photography in books; newspapers publish fiction in installments; enter Baedecker, the archetypical travel guide; celebrity cooking hits the page

The Book in the Turbulent 20th Century -- public libraries spark an information explosion; the advent of mechanized copying; revolutionary book design; no topic is off limits; the publishing industry

Digitization and the Future of the Book -- e-book publishing intersects with a return to handcrafted books; manga, redefining the book.

This book takes a singular approach that will appeal to astute readers. It will have a wide and diverse readership.

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Review:

(star) Print historian, librarian, and consultant (UNESCO; the British Library) Cave and picture researcher Ayad expand what readers think of as books. Their sumptuous work discusses and portrays its 100 items on a spread each, arranged in chapters on eras. These books and accompanying crisp color photos are fascinating enough by themselves, but the information on each item and the world it came from is what makes this exciting browse also an interdisciplinary treasure. Everyone from teens doing reports on the civilizations in question to librarians pondering the roots of their vocation will find this work absorbing.--Henrietta Verma"Library Journal" (11/01/2014)

This title is sumptuously produced and intellectually rigorous. Cave, the author of many books on printing and librarianship, is a leader in book history studies. Ayad's experience includes publishing, antiquarian books, and archival research. Beginning with Spanish cave paintings, the authors cover the history of information transmission up to the present. Each of the 100 objects selected is described in detail, and the reproductions of selected portions are perfect. Arranged chronologically and thematically, sample chapters include "Medieval Worlds and the Book," "Printing and the Enlightenment," and "Digitization and the Future of the Book." Certain themes reappear, such as religion, the transmission of practical information, books for children, and scientific publishing, with particular attention paid to books as objects. The text provides information on printing processes, paper and other supports, and aspects of publishing. At the end of each entry is a "Connections" section that leads curious readers to similar publications in different parts of the book. The bibliography refers readers to print and electronic references. Summing up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty; General readers.--G. B. Barnhill"Choice" (03/01/2015)

Roderick Cave and picture researcher Sara Ayad discuss and portray 100 "books" on a spread each, arranged in chapters on eras. They begin with ancient cave paintings and tally sticks and continue through 12th-century Indian palm-leaf manuscripts, the Archimedes Palimpsest (1229), and Ptolemy's 1482 Cosmographia to items that resemble what we read today. The book and accompanying crisp color photos are absorbing enough by themselves, but the information on each item and the world it came from make this exciting browse an interdisciplinary treasure as well. (star) Print historian, librarian, and consultant (UNESCO; the British Library) Cave and picture researcher Ayad expand what readers think of as books. Their sumptuous work discusses and portrays its 100 items on a spread each, arranged in chapters on eras. These books and accompanying crisp color photos are fascinating enough by themselves, but the information on each item and the world it came from is what makes this exciting browse also an interdisciplinary treasure. Everyone from teens doing reports on the civilizations in question to librarians pondering the roots of their vocation will find this work absorbing.--Henrietta Verma"Library Journal" (05/15/2015)

It is a treasure trove and joy to behold, a fabulously detailed book for any book lover and would make a truly awesome gift.--Byron Borger"Hearts and Minds Books" (12/13/2014)

About the Author:

Roderick Cave is a print historian and librarian who has worked with rare book collections and developed information science courses in libraries and universities around the world. He is the author of Impressions of Nature: A History of Nature Printing.

Sara Ayad has spent a lifetime with books, and all her working life 'in the business': as reader, library assistant, bookseller, editor and latterly picture researcher, integrating her keen interest in both the literary and visual arts.

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