'This is an important book. It comprises eleven essays, including the editor's introduction, on the varying uses and social effects of writing in a series of partially literate societies. The focus is on contemporary situations and the processes which have led to these, although historical evidence and historical cases are also treated. Throughout, writing and the uses of writing are analysed in specific social contexts. The book seems successfully addressed to a wide audience of social scientists and historians.' Journal of Asian Studies

• Introduction Jack Goody; 1. The consequences of literacy Jack Goody and Ian Watt; 2. Implications of literacy in traditional China and India Kathleen Gough; 3. Literacy in a Buddhist village in North-East Thailand S. J. Tambiah; 4. Literacy in Kerala Kathleen Gough; 5. The transmission of Islamic learning in the Western Sudan Ivor Wilks; 6. Restricted literacy in Northern Ghana Jack Goody; 7. Literacy in a Nomadic Society: the Somali case I. M. Lewiss; 8. Astrology and writing in Madagascar Maurice Bloch; 9. Uses of literacy in New Guinea and Melanesia M. Meggitt; 10. The measurement of literacy in pre-industrial England R. S. Schofield; Bibliography; Index.

'This is an important book. It comprises eleven essays, including the editor's introduction, on the varying uses and social effects of writing in a series of partially literate societies. The focus is on contemporary situations and the processes which have led to these, although historical evidence and historical cases are also treated. Throughout, writing and the uses of writing are analysed in specific social contexts. The book seems successfully addressed to a wide audience of social scientists and historians.' Journal of Asian Studies

• Introduction Jack Goody; 1. The consequences of literacy Jack Goody and Ian Watt; 2. Implications of literacy in traditional China and India Kathleen Gough; 3. Literacy in a Buddhist village in North-East Thailand S. J. Tambiah; 4. Literacy in Kerala Kathleen Gough; 5. The transmission of Islamic learning in the Western Sudan Ivor Wilks; 6. Restricted literacy in Northern Ghana Jack Goody; 7. Literacy in a Nomadic Society: the Somali case I. M. Lewiss; 8. Astrology and writing in Madagascar Maurice Bloch; 9. Uses of literacy in New Guinea and Melanesia M. Meggitt; 10. The measurement of literacy in pre-industrial England R. S. Schofield; Bibliography; Index.

'This is an important book. It comprises eleven essays, including the editor's introduction, on the varying uses and social effects of writing in a series of partially literate societies. The focus is on contemporary situations and the processes which have led to these, although historical evidence and historical cases are also treated. Throughout, writing and the uses of writing are analysed in specific social contexts. The book seems successfully addressed to a wide audience of social scientists and historians.' Journal of Asian Studies

• Introduction Jack Goody; 1. The consequences of literacy Jack Goody and Ian Watt; 2. Implications of literacy in traditional China and India Kathleen Gough; 3. Literacy in a Buddhist village in North-East Thailand S. J. Tambiah; 4. Literacy in Kerala Kathleen Gough; 5. The transmission of Islamic learning in the Western Sudan Ivor Wilks; 6. Restricted literacy in Northern Ghana Jack Goody; 7. Literacy in a Nomadic Society: the Somali case I. M. Lewiss; 8. Astrology and writing in Madagascar Maurice Bloch; 9. Uses of literacy in New Guinea and Melanesia M. Meggitt; 10. The measurement of literacy in pre-industrial England R. S. Schofield; Bibliography; Index.