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The Book

A Cover-to-Cover Exploration of the Most Powerful Object of Our Time
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Brief Description
In The Book, Keith Houston reveals that the paper, ink, thread, glue, and board from which a book is made tell as rich a story as the words on its pages. In an invitingly tactile history of this 2,000-year-old medium, Houston follows the development of writing,... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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β€œEverybody who has ever read a book will benefit from the way Keith Houston explores the most powerful object of our time. And everybody who has read it will agree that reports of the book’s death have been greatly exaggerated.”—Erik Spiekermann, typographer

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 feedback is welcome! Description

In The Book, Keith Houston reveals that the paper, ink, thread, glue, and board from which a book is made tell as rich a story as the words on its pages.

In an invitingly tactile history of this 2,000-year-old medium, Houston follows the development of writing, printing, the art of illustrations, and binding to show how we have moved from cuneiform tablets and papyrus scrolls to the hardcovers and paperbacks of today.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781324086352

Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 June 2025

Country: United States

Imprint: WW Norton & Co

Illustration: 71 color illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 211.0mm

Weight: 511g

Pages: 448

About the Author

Keith Houston is the author of Face with Tears of Joy, Empire of the Sum, Shady Characters, and The Book. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, Mental Floss, and on BBC Culture and Literary Hub. He lives in Linlithgow, Scotland.

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