What is the History of the Book?

James Raven is Professor of Modern History at the University of Essex and a Fellow of Magdalene College, University of Cambridge.

"This is an invaluable survey of the origins, theoretical and methodological underpinnings, and major resources and findings of the fast-growing field of book history, across a global range of times and places."—Ann Blair, Harvard University"James Raven's boundary-defying book is delightfully adventuresome in its thinking and dazzling in the scope and command of the sources it adduces. This remarkably accomplished little volume will be part of the conversation for years to come."—Michael F. Suarez, S.J., Director, Rare Book School at the University of Virginia"It's exactly what I need to introduce me to what the discipline embraces, how it began and how it is developing."—Karen McAulay, Times Higher Education Supplement"'Easy writing', wrote the playwright Sheridan, 'is damned hard reading'. For James Raven this must have been damned hard writing indeed, for the result is reading which lightly carries a lifetime of learning and will surely act as an inspiration to others, not least to young scholars who are coming new to the field."—Library & Information History

• PrefaceAcknowledgementsList of illustrations and tables1. The Scope of Book HistoryRedefining the bookFirst books first2. The Early History of Book HistoryPre-histories of the bookTowards bibliography3. Description, Enumeration and ModellingRetrospective catalogues and bibliometricsNew perspectives and projectsCircuits and diagrams4. Who, What and How?EconomicsWider horizonsControl: Copyright, censorship and circulationLibrariesCautions and precepts5. ReadingIdentifying readersRecovering reading practisesConsequencesFurther readingIndex