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The Story of Writing
Alphabets, Hieroglyphs and Pictograms
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The Story of Writing
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
This book is ideal for readers interested in history, linguistics, archaeology, and the evolution of communication. It suits academics, students, and curious general readers seeking accessible yet thorough insights into writing systems across cultures and epochs.
Writing is one of humanity's greatest inventions. Without it there would be no history and no civilization as we know it. But how, when and where did writing evolve? This book discusses the history of decipherment and major writing systems, from cuneiform and Egyptian and Mayan hieroglyphs to alphabets and the scripts of China and Japan.
Without writing there would be no history and no civilization as we know it. But how, when and where did writing evolve?
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
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Description
In an absorbing text, Andrew Robinson explains the interconnection between sound, symbol and script. He discusses each of the major writing systems in turn, from cuneiform and Egyptian and Mayan hieroglyphs to the scripts of China and Japan, as well as others such as the Cherokee 'alphabet' and the writing of runes.
Full coverage is given to the history of decipherment, and a provocative chapter is devoted to undeciphered scripts: can these codes ever be broken?
In this new edition of The Story of Writing, the author reveals the latest discoveries to have an impact on the history of writing, including the Tabula Cortonensis showing Etruscan symbols, and a seal from Turkmenistan that could solve the mystery of how Chinese writing evolved.
He also discusses how the digital revolution has not, despite predictions, spelled doom for the printed book. In addition, the table of Maya glyphs has been updated.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
History Today praises it as 'the most accessible and informative book available on the major writing systems of the world.' Bookdealer describes it as 'excellent,' noting Robinson's comprehensive coverage without omissions. Communication Arts finds it 'delightful to read' and 'difficult to put down once started.'
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780500286609
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 16 April 2007
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Thames & Hudson Ltd
Edition: New Edition
Illustration: with over 355 illustrations, 50 in colour
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 192.0mm
Height: 254.0mm
Weight: 760g
Pages: 232
About the Author
Andrew Robinson has written more than 25 books on the arts and sciences. They include Lost Languages: The Enigma of the World's Undeciphered Scripts, India: A Short History and Earthshock, which won the Association of Earth Science Editors Outstanding Publication Award, plus Earth-Shattering Events . A regular contributor to such magazines as Current World Archaeology, History Today, The Lancet, Nature and Science, he has also been literary editor of The Times Higher Education Supplement and a visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge.
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