A History of Reading

A History of Reading by Steven Roger Fischer takes in a wonderful diversity of things, as noted by Nature: "Starting from the Bronze Age and ending with modern emails and a possible future of e-books."

The Daily Telegraph describes it as "an exciting story, which the author tells clearly and chronologically."

Steven Roger Fischer's fascinating book, now available in an updated B-format edition, traces the complete story of reading, from the time when symbol first became sign through to the electronic texts of the present day.

Journeying smoothly across continents and through time, Fischer charts the developments of ancient and completely divergent writing systems and scripts in Asia and the Americas. He delves into the innovative re-inventions of reading—silent and liturgical reading, the custom of lectors, reading's focus in general education—in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages.

The book explores the emergence of the book trade, broadsheets, newspapers, and public readings; the sweeping educational reforms of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; and the appearance of free libraries, gender differences in reading matter, public advertising, and the 'forbidden' lists of Church, State, and the unemancipated.

Finally, Fischer assesses the future, suggesting a radical new definition of what reading could be.