The Gutenberg Revolution

The Gutenberg Revolution

by JohnMan (Author)

Synopsis

In 1450, all western Europe's books were handcopied and amounted to no more than a single modern library. By 1500 they were printed and numbered in their millions. Printing made possible the development of modern science and literature, and the political shift from statelets to nations. It brought about the biggest changes in human culture since the invention of the alphabet itself. The man responsible was Johann Gutenberg, born in 1400 in Mainz, Germany. John Man explains how this technical genius whose research into printing was funded by wealthy sponsors, struggled against a background of plague, religious upheaval and legal battles to bring his remarkable invention to light.

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 320
Edition: First Edition
Publisher: Headline Review
Published: 04 Feb 2002

ISBN 10: 0747245045
ISBN 13: 9780747245049

Media Reviews
Extremely erudite and enormously enthusiastic ... its subject is nothing less than one of the greatest turning points in the development of civilisation. * Geoffrey Moorhouse, Guardian *
`storytelling drive... Man's description is exemplary' * The Independent *
A very good read * Director, Gutenberg Museum, Mainz *
`storytelling drive... Man's description is exemplary' * Independent *
This is a very good introduction to Gutenberg and his world * New Statesman *
`John Man recounts lucidly, filling in the social, religious and political background... his book pitches itself unashamedly at the general reader.... an intelligent narrative marked by engaging enthusiasm and quite a few eloquent passages' * Financial Times *
Author Bio
John Man is a historian and writer with a special interest in Mongolia. As well as writing several books, he devised and presented the BBC Radio 4 series, Survivors.