A History of the Book in America: Volume I: The Colonial Book in the Atlantic World

A History of the Book in America #1

by Hugh Amory, David D. Hall (Series Editor)

Volume 1, The Colonial Book in the Atlantic World carries the interrelated stories of publishing, writing, and reading from the beginning of the colonial period in America up to 1790. Three major themes run through the volume: the persisting connections between the book trade in the Old World and the New, evidenced in modes of intellectual and cultural exchange and the dominance of imported, chiefly English books; the gradual emergence of a competitive book trade in which newspapers were the largest form of production; and the institution of a "culture of the Word," organized around an essentially theological understanding of print, authorship, and reading, complemented by other frameworks of meaning that included the culture of republicanism.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

664 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first attempt at a definitive overview of book history for the colonial period. The coverage of the seventeenth century relies almost exclusively on Amory and Hall, which limits the perspective to Amory's rigorous (but idiosyncratic) brand of bibliography and Hall's brand of intellectual history. But the eighteenth century invites more authors into the game, and the editors' attempts to cover "practices of reading" as well as of production, distribution, and consumption make the book help develop a more complete picture of book culture in early America.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book on books. This one dealing with the importation, printing, and use of books in colonial America. Might seem like dry reading - but I found it fascinating. Just can't seem to get enough of these books on books. Pluses - an interesting read, well documented with a good bibliography, and the price (especially on-line) is unbeatable. Downside - it's paperback and the newer books in this series are hardcover; so if you buy the whole set they won't match exactly.

[Bill Sleeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish that the books in this series were in e-book form?