David (University of Dundee, UK) Finkelstein & Alistair (Edinburgh Napier University, UK) McCleery 
Introduction to Book History [PDF ebook] 

This second edition of An Introduction to Book History provides a comprehensive critical introduction to the development of the book and print culture. Each fully revised and updated chapter contains new material and covers recent developments in the field, including:

• The Postcolonial Book


• Censorship by states and religions


• Social History, and the recognition of underrepresentation of its value to book history studies


• Contemporary publishing

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 points to ponder. Sections include:

• the history of the book


• orality to Literacy


• literacy to printing


• authors, authorship and authority


• printers, booksellers, publishers, agents


• readers and reading


• the future of the book.

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.