Introduction to Book History

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.

David Finkelstein is Dean of Humanities at the University of Dundee, UK.

Alistair McCleery is Professor of Literature and Culture at Edinburgh Napier University, UK.