The Cambridge Companion to the History of the Book

Hardback

Main Details

Title The Cambridge Companion to the History of the Book
Authors and Contributors      Edited by Leslie Howsam
SeriesCambridge Companions to Literature
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:302
Dimensions(mm): Height 229,Width 152
Category/GenreLiterary studies - general
ISBN/Barcode 9781107023734
ClassificationsDewey:002.09
Audience
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations 3 Halftones, unspecified

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 11 December 2014
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Throughout human history, the world's knowledge and fruits of the creative imagination have been produced, circulated and received through the medium of the material text. This Companion provides a wide-ranging account of the history of the book and its ways of thinking about works from ancient inscription to contemporary e-books, discussing thematic, chronological and methodological aspects of this interdisciplinary field. The first part considers book cultures from local, national and global perspectives. Part two, organized around the dynamic relationship between the material book and the mutable text, develops a loosely chronological narrative from early writing, through manuscript and early printing, to the institution of a mechanized book trade, and on to the globalization of publishing and the introduction of the electronic book. A third part takes a practical turn, discussing methods, sources and approaches: bibliographical, archival and reading experience methodologies, as well as pedagogical strategies.

Author Biography

Leslie Howsam is University Professor in the Department of History at the University of Windsor, Ontario. She is author or editor of seven significant books and numerous articles, most notably Old Books and New Histories: An Orientation to Studies in Book and Print Culture (2006) and Past into Print: The Publishing of History in Britain, 1850-1950 (2009).

Reviews

'Francis Bacon said 'some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly'. This book is firmly in the latter category. My own copy is already looking somewhat mauled and well used, with ample marginalia, highlighted lines and references, and bookmarks sticking out of key sections. I cannot think of a better way to show how highly I recommend it.' Samantha J. Rayner, English 'As a whole, the collection accomplishes what it sets out to do: it is an effective introduction to the field and its issues and practices, and it points the way toward new and exciting developments.' Marta Kvande, Papers of the Fall Bibliographical Society of Canada