An Introduction to Bibliographical and Textual Studies

by William Proctor Williams, Craig S. Abbott

To a reader of Joyce's Ulysses , it makes a difference whether one of Stephen Dedalus's first thoughts is "No mother" (as in the printed version) or "No, mother!" (as in the manuscript). The scholarship surrounding such textual differences―and why this discipline should concern readers and literary scholars alike―is the focus of William Proctor Williams and Craig S. Abbott's acclaimed handbook.
This updated, fourth edition outlines the study of texts' composition, revision, physical embodiments, process of transmission, and manner of reception; describes how new technologies such as digital imaging and electronic tagging have changed the way we produce, read, preserve, and research texts; discusses why these matters are central to a historical understanding of literature; and shows how the insights, methods, and products of bibliographical and textual studies can be applied to other branches of scholarship.

Genres: Nonfiction, Criticism, Grad School, Library Science

188 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[kaelan · Rating 2 out of 5]

An Introduction to Bibliographical and Textual Studies delivers exactly what it promises: namely, an introduction to bibliographical and textual studies. But as even its authors admit, bibliography is for the most part a tedious and unglamorous undertaking. Perhaps Alexander Pope, in his edition of The Works of Shakespear, said it best:

I have discharg'd the dull duty of an Editor, to my best judgment, with more labour than I expect thanks.

Thus, it should hardly be surprising that a book on the subject proves to be a dry, technical and manifestly unfun read.

So what could have compelled me to grapple with this guide in the first place? Like my illustrious predecessor, I too have been called to the dull and thankless task of bibliography (although mercifully my sentence shan't last longer than a few months). In that regard, this book is detailed, informative and sufficiently comprehensive—or at least it appears as such to my biblographically neophyte eye.

But for what our authors (in one of their rare attempts at humour) call the "largely mythical figure, the general reader," I doubt there'd be anything here of interest.

[Elaina Bayard]

less up his ass than other theorists at least

[ػᶈᶏϾӗ]

I would not call this a riveting read. The rabbit hole of bibliophilia is deep ... and scary.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and approachable intro to a complicated topic. Really helpful appendices etc in the back for reference.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative, but drier than a desert.

[Spencer Kunz · Rating 1 out of 5]

maybe i’m just tired but i hated this book

[Destinee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, this was boring. It was a good introduction to bibliographical studies, but could it have broken up the information in a more entertaining and approachable way? Absolutely.

[Helena]

gud denne tok mykje lenger tid å lese enn den burde

[Maksim Prokhorov · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book is exactly what the title claims it is.

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some interesting information about how books are printed and the whole process they go through from author's notes to multiple editions, and how these multiple editions can have significant differences as things get fixed or changed. For scholarship this can have a significant impact in terms of working from an 'authoritative' edition of a particular text. However, much of the book was devoted to things like identifying marks left by the printing process on early books, and so unless one really intends to become a professional bibliographer I am not sure that this book is a necessary read.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like its title says, this book is a pretty good basic introduction to bibliographical and textual studies. It's a slim volume but it covers a lot of ground. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in bibliographical research.

[Roof Beam Reader (Adam) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful for those going into the field, and probably interesting to them as well. For novices and/or those wading through this one for some kind of requirement, half the book is a chore to read (the first half, however, is pretty interesting and easy to follow).

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Texts have lives.

Not only do all texts have lives, but these lives tend to go from bad to worse.

The process of transcription is characterized by variation.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my graduate school textbooks, and it provided a clear and concise introduction to the fields of bibliographical and textual studies.

[Mackenzie Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid introduction, very helpful for the work I'm doing now. I read the whole glossary to quiz myself.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting at moments but so bogged down in terminology that it became tedious to keep up with.

[Beth Stratton]

3.5