The Gutenberg Revolution: The Story of a Genius and an Invention That Changed the World - Hardcover

John Man

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0747245045 ISBN 13: 9780747245049

Publisher: Headline Hardbacks, 2002

Synopsis

In 1450, all western Europe's books were handcopied and amounted to no more than a single modern library. By 1500 they were printed and numbered in their millions. Printing made possible the development of modern science and literature, and the political shift from statelets to nations. It brought about the biggest changes in human culture since the invention of the alphabet itself. The man responsible was Johann Gutenberg, born in 1400 in Mainz, Germany. John Man explains how this technical genius whose research into printing was funded by wealthy sponsors, struggled against a background of plague, religious upheaval and legal battles to bring his remarkable invention to light.

About this title

About the Author

John Man is a historian and writer with a special interest in Mongolia. As well as writing several books, he devised and presented the BBC Radio 4 series, Survivors.

Review

`John Man recounts lucidly, filling in the social, religious and political background... his book pitches itself unashamedly at the general reader.... an intelligent narrative marked by engaging enthusiasm and quite a few eloquent passages' * Financial Times * This is a very good introduction to Gutenberg and his world * New Statesman * `storytelling drive... Man's description is exemplary' * Independent * A very good read * Director, Gutenberg Museum, Mainz * `storytelling drive... Man's description is exemplary' * The Independent * Extremely erudite and enormously enthusiastic ... its subject is nothing less than one of the greatest turning points in the development of civilisation. * Geoffrey Moorhouse, Guardian *

Edition details

• Publisher: Headline Hardbacks
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0747245045
• ISBN 13: 9780747245049
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320