一本向世人展現
2000年來紙本書的豐富歷程
書，是如何在人類文明的不同時期，以不同的型式，承載歷史流轉的文明與故事？本書從書寫,到印刷、插圖的演變，為讀者描繪出2000多年來書的演化之旅。這本談書之書，將以全新的角度帶領我們觀看，「書」如何在人類歷史上成為知識與資訊的載體及其衍生的文化意含。
We may love books, but do we know what lies behind them?
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—of civilisations, empires, human
ingenuity and madness. 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. Sure to delight book lovers of all stripes with its lush, full-colour illustrations, The Book
gives us the momentous and surprising history behind humanity’s most important—and universal—information technology.
Praise for Shady Characters:
"Punctuation is not a mere ornament or a curiosity—it is essential, and we need to know about it. Keith Houston’s history is entertaining and readable."—The Guardian
"Engaging typographical journeys... Houston brings to life a history of ingenuity and imagination."—The Times
"[S]cholarly, highly readable and, on some deeper level, slightly deranged."—The Spectator
"Refreshing... the stories he uncovers along the way are fascinating."—The Telegraph
"Shady Characters might make you look at books... in an entirely new way."—Nature
