Simon Franklin is a Reader in Slavonic Studies in the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge.

Review of the hardback: 'Written with wit and style as well as great erudition, Franklin's book breaks new ground … the virtual tour that Franklin constructs of a Kievan church combines all his gifts as historian, reader, and observer. The result is a spellbinding performance that brings Franklin's own reader as close as possible to reading the world through they eyes of a Kievan.' Medium Aevum

• Part I. The Graphic Environment: 1. The written remains; 2. Scripts and languages; 3. The changing environment; Part II. Functions and Perceptions of Writing: 4. Writing and social organisation; 5. Writing and learning; 6. Writing and pictures; 7. Writing and magic; 8. Afterword: on the social and cultural dynamics of writing.

Simon Franklin is a Reader in Slavonic Studies in the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge.

Review of the hardback: 'Written with wit and style as well as great erudition, Franklin's book breaks new ground … the virtual tour that Franklin constructs of a Kievan church combines all his gifts as historian, reader, and observer. The result is a spellbinding performance that brings Franklin's own reader as close as possible to reading the world through they eyes of a Kievan.' Medium Aevum

• Part I. The Graphic Environment: 1. The written remains; 2. Scripts and languages; 3. The changing environment; Part II. Functions and Perceptions of Writing: 4. Writing and social organisation; 5. Writing and learning; 6. Writing and pictures; 7. Writing and magic; 8. Afterword: on the social and cultural dynamics of writing.

Simon Franklin is a Reader in Slavonic Studies in the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge.

Review of the hardback: 'Written with wit and style as well as great erudition, Franklin's book breaks new ground … the virtual tour that Franklin constructs of a Kievan church combines all his gifts as historian, reader, and observer. The result is a spellbinding performance that brings Franklin's own reader as close as possible to reading the world through they eyes of a Kievan.' Medium Aevum

• Part I. The Graphic Environment: 1. The written remains; 2. Scripts and languages; 3. The changing environment; Part II. Functions and Perceptions of Writing: 4. Writing and social organisation; 5. Writing and learning; 6. Writing and pictures; 7. Writing and magic; 8. Afterword: on the social and cultural dynamics of writing.