A History of the Book in America, Volume 1: The Colonial Book in the Atlantic World

A History of the Book in America #1

by Hugh Amory (Editor)

A History of the Book in America is a five-volume, interdisciplinary series that offers a collborative history of the book in American culture from the earliest days of European settlement to our own days. Its creation is a principal activity of the American Antiquarian Society. Volume 1, The Colonial Book in the Atlantic World is organized around three major themes: the persisting colonial relationship between European settlements and the Old World; the gradual emergence of a pluralistic book trade that differentiated printers from booksellers; and the transition from a "culture of the Word" to the culture of republicanism. The volume also describes nascent forms of literary and learned culture (including the circulation of manuscripts), literacy and censorship, orality, and the efforts by Europeans to introduce written literacy to Native Americans and African Americans.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

656 pages, Hardcover

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?