Bibliograph

Paper, paging through history, Mark Kurlansky

Type

Label

Paper, paging through history, Mark Kurlansky

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages [347]-354) and index

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Paper

Nature of contents

bibliography

Responsibility statement

Mark Kurlansky

Sub title

paging through history

Summary

Paper is one of the simplest and most essential pieces of human technology. For the past two millennia, the ability to produce it in ever more efficient ways has supported the proliferation of literacy, media, religion, education, commerce, and art. Now, on the cusp of "going paperless" and amid rampant speculation about the effects of a digitally dependent society, the author examines what paper has menat to civilization.

Table Of Contents

Prologue: The technological fallacy -- Being human -- The moths that circle a Chinese candle -- The Islamic birth of literacy -- And where is Xátiva? -- Europe between two felts -- Making words soar -- The art of printing -- Out from Mainz -- Tenochtitlán and the blue-eyed devil -- The trumpet call -- Rembrandt's discovery -- The traitorous corruption of England -- Papering independence -- Diderot's promise -- Invitation from a wasp -- Advantages in the head -- To die like a gentleman -- Return to Asia -- Epilogue: change -- Appendix: Timeline

Classification