An Introduction to Book History by David Finkelstein

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.