The Book
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Average rating4.3
“Everybody who has ever read a book will benefit from the way Keith Houston explores the most powerful object of our time. And everybody who has read it will agree that reports of the book’s death have been greatly exaggerated.”—Erik Spiekermann, typographer We may love books, but do we know what lies behind them? In The Book, Keith Houston reveals that the paper, ink, thread, glue, and board from which a book is made tell as rich a story as the words on its pages—of civilizations, empires, human ingenuity, and madness. In an invitingly tactile history of this 2,000-year-old medium, Houston follows the development of writing, printing, the art of illustrations, and binding to show how we have moved from cuneiform tablets and papyrus scrolls to the hardcovers and paperbacks of today. Sure to delight book lovers of all stripes with its lush, full-color illustrations, The Book gives us the momentous and surprising history behind humanity’s most important—and universal—information technology.
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A book for the history and book nerds out there. This book details every step that was taken to create the most powerful object of our time: the book. The history is conveyed in an interest way and is enjoyable to read. Great historical read if you like that.
Beautifully produced book that all real booklovers will enjoy. Sections deal with all parts of book making - paper, ink, binding, content.
“The Book: A Cover-to-Cover Exploration of the Most Powerful Object of Our Time” by Keith Houston is a fascinating and comprehensive examination of the history and evolution of the book. As someone who loves books and is interested in their development, I found this book to be a captivating read.
Houston begins by exploring the very origins of writing and how it evolved into the book as we know it today. He examines the various materials used for writing, from papyrus to parchment to paper, and how these materials affected the production and dissemination of books throughout history.
The book also delves into the history of bookbinding and the various methods used to bind books over time. Houston provides a detailed examination of the development of the printing press, including the many different types of presses and printing techniques used throughout history.
One of the most interesting aspects of this book is Houston's discussion of the impact of books on society and culture. He examines how books have been used to spread knowledge and ideas, as well as how they have been censored and banned throughout history.
Houston's writing style is engaging and accessible, making this book a pleasure to read. He includes numerous illustrations and photographs to help illustrate his points, which adds to the overall enjoyment of the book.
Overall, “The Book” is an insightful and engaging exploration of one of the most important objects of our time. Whether you're a book lover or simply interested in the history of communication and technology, this book is well worth reading. I highly recommend it.
