Speaking Volumes

Books with Histories

David Pearson

$79.99

Hardback

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English

Bodleian Library
01 November 2022

Literature, Poetry & Criticism; Library, archive & information management; Social & cultural history; Antiques & collectables: books, manuscripts, ephemera & printed matter

Every individual book has a history which can help us to understand what difference it may have made in the world. Within these pages you will find books damaged by bullets or graffiti, recovered from fire or water, or even disguised as completely different texts for protection in dangerous times. Marks of ownership - be it a rich treasure binding or a humble family inscription - shine a light on social history and literacy, while student doodles from the sixteenth century and a variety of pithy annotations give us a sense of readers through the ages.

We increasingly recognise that the cultural and research value of books lies not just in their printed contents, but in the many other things they can tell us about the ways they have been used, read and regarded. Generously illustrated with examples from the early Middle Ages to the present day, Speaking Volumes presents a fascinating selection of books in both public and private collections whose individual histories tell surprising and illuminating stories, encouraging us to look at and appreciate books in new and non-traditional ways.

By: David Pearson
Imprint: Bodleian Library
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 245mm, Width: 190mm,
Weight: 1.112kg
ISBN: 9781851245628
ISBN 10: 1851245626
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 01 November 2022
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

David Pearson is a leading expert on the history of books, after a lifetime spent working with them, writing about them and owning them. His previous books include 'Provenance Research in Book History' (new edition, Bodleian Library Publishing, 2019) and 'Book Ownership in Stuart England' (Oxford University Press, 2021).

Reviews for Speaking Volumes: Books with Histories

"""Speaking Volumes is a comprehensive and informative title that provides a wealth of information about the history of books. . . engaging, informative, and [an] enjoyable read.""-- ""The Southeastern Librarian"""