' … the combination of new ideas, the comprehensive treatment, the rich notes and bibliography, all complemented by the extraordinary judgement which is the hallmark of Professor Bischoff's writing, make this handbook unequalled and unapproached in our present literature and a superb guide to further study.' Speculum

• List of abbreviations; Preface; Introduction; Part I. Codicology: 1. Writing materials and writing tools; 2. The external characteristics of the written heritage; 3. Writing and copying; Part II. The History of Latin Script: 4. Latin script in antiquity; 5. Latin handwriting in the Middle Ages; 6. Supplement; Part III. The Manuscript in Cultural History: 7. Roman and Christian antiquity; Plates; Bibliography; Index of names and subjects.

' … the combination of new ideas, the comprehensive treatment, the rich notes and bibliography, all complemented by the extraordinary judgement which is the hallmark of Professor Bischoff's writing, make this handbook unequalled and unapproached in our present literature and a superb guide to further study.' Speculum

• List of abbreviations; Preface; Introduction; Part I. Codicology: 1. Writing materials and writing tools; 2. The external characteristics of the written heritage; 3. Writing and copying; Part II. The History of Latin Script: 4. Latin script in antiquity; 5. Latin handwriting in the Middle Ages; 6. Supplement; Part III. The Manuscript in Cultural History: 7. Roman and Christian antiquity; Plates; Bibliography; Index of names and subjects.