Signs Letters Words

Hackwell, W. John

ISBN 10: 0684188074 / ISBN 13: 9780684188072

Published by Atheneum, 1987

About this Item

Juvenile non fiction illustrated with photos is an introduction to "the history of writing as put together from archaeological evidence".

Seller Inventory # 037349

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Signs Letters Words
• Publisher: Atheneum
• Publication Date: 1987
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0684188074
• ISBN 13: 9780684188072
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition First Printing
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • ARCHAEOLOGY

About this title

Synopsis

A history of writing as put together from archaeological evidence.

Reviews

Grade 6 Up From its sculpted cover to its elegant endpapers, this slim, scholarly volume is a pleasure to the discerning eye and the inquiring mind. Laced with cool gray illustrations of the artifacts on which early writings appeared, the text details the archaeology of the written word from the representative pictorial of decorated pottery to the non-representative modern alphabet. Hackwell takes pains to illustrate the complexities of this long development and to show writing to be the end product of a history of sociological and economic change. This is briefer than Robert Claiborne's The Birth of Writing (Time/Life, 1974; o.p.), and more tightly focused than Oscar Ogg's The 26 Letters (Crowell, 1971). The final illustration of a Sumerian supplicant statue and a portable computer is a startling reminder of our ancient roots. Patricia Manning, Eastchester Public Library, N.Y.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.