The History of the Book in 100 Books: The Complete Story, from Egypt to e-Book - Tapa dura

(star) Print historian, librarian, and consultant (UNESCO; the British Library) Cave and picture researcher Ayad expand what readers think of as books. Their sumptuous work discusses and portrays its 100 items on a spread each, arranged in chapters on eras. These books and accompanying crisp color photos are fascinating enough by themselves, but the information on each item and the world it came from is what makes this exciting browse also an interdisciplinary treasure. Everyone from teens doing reports on the civilizations in question to librarians pondering the roots of their vocation will find this work absorbing.--Henrietta Verma"Library Journal" (11/01/2014)

This title is sumptuously produced and intellectually rigorous. Cave, the author of many books on printing and librarianship, is a leader in book history studies. Ayad's experience includes publishing, antiquarian books, and archival research. Beginning with Spanish cave paintings, the authors cover the history of information transmission up to the present. Each of the 100 objects selected is described in detail, and the reproductions of selected portions are perfect. Arranged chronologically and thematically, sample chapters include "Medieval Worlds and the Book," "Printing and the Enlightenment," and "Digitization and the Future of the Book." Certain themes reappear, such as religion, the transmission of practical information, books for children, and scientific publishing, with particular attention paid to books as objects. The text provides information on printing processes, paper and other supports, and aspects of publishing. At the end of each entry is a "Connections" section that leads curious readers to similar publications in different parts of the book. The bibliography refers readers to print and electronic references. Summing up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty; General readers.--G. B. Barnhill"Choice" (03/01/2015)

Roderick Cave and picture researcher Sara Ayad discuss and portray 100 "books" on a spread each, arranged in chapters on eras. They begin with ancient cave paintings and tally sticks and continue through 12th-century Indian palm-leaf manuscripts, the Archimedes Palimpsest (1229), and Ptolemy's 1482 Cosmographia to items that resemble what we read today. The book and accompanying crisp color photos are absorbing enough by themselves, but the information on each item and the world it came from make this exciting browse an interdisciplinary treasure as well. (star) Print historian, librarian, and consultant (UNESCO; the British Library) Cave and picture researcher Ayad expand what readers think of as books. Their sumptuous work discusses and portrays its 100 items on a spread each, arranged in chapters on eras. These books and accompanying crisp color photos are fascinating enough by themselves, but the information on each item and the world it came from is what makes this exciting browse also an interdisciplinary treasure. Everyone from teens doing reports on the civilizations in question to librarians pondering the roots of their vocation will find this work absorbing.--Henrietta Verma"Library Journal" (05/15/2015)

It is a treasure trove and joy to behold, a fabulously detailed book for any book lover and would make a truly awesome gift.--Byron Borger"Hearts and Minds Books" (12/13/2014)