Story of Books, The

By Rawlings, Gertrude Burford

Book Id: WPLBN0002952605
Format Type:
File Size: 144.30 MB
Reproduction Date: 2010

Title:	Story of Books, The
Author:	Rawlings, Gertrude Burford
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Non-fiction, History
Collections:	Audio Books Collection, Story of Books, The
Historic Publication Date:	1901
Publisher:	LibriVox Audio Books


Citation APA MLA Chicago Burford Rawlings, B. G. (1901). Story of Books, The. Retrieved from http://www.self.gutenberg.org/

Description
Rawlings follows the development of printing from the origins of writing to modern printing. Some of the earliest records are ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman recordings on papyrus and wax tablets. However, Rawlings acknowledges the sparse nature of this first fragile evidence, and limits speculation. Later, libraries of religious books grew in Europe, where monks copied individual books in monasteries. The block printing technique began with illustrations carved in wood blocks, while the text needed to be written by hand. Eventually, entire pages were printed as combinations of illustrations with text. The Biblia Pauperum, or “Bible of the Poor,” demonstrates this first time saving method. Later chapters focus on printing developing as an industry, especially after the invention of movable type. Two inventors are contested as the first inventor, Johann Gutenberg of Mentz in Germany, and Laurenz Coster of Haarlem in Holland. Rawlings describes the evidence for each side, along with stories and legends that grow around their names. Since many of the medieval books were meant to be admired as art by the illiterate majority and read only by an educated minority, copiers spent much time decorating manuscripts. Also, these highly decorated volumes needed to be protected. Here, Rawlings describes the techniques for binding and beautifying books. Arriving closer to the present day, Rawlings describes a few modern printing techniques that bring mass produced and cheap books to the now literate public. (Summary by LivelyHive)

Summary
Electronic recorded live performance of a reading

Excerpt
History