Martyn Lyons' handsome coffee-table book is an overview of the development of writing from ancient times to the internet era. The book focuses on the developments in publication technology over the centuries, as well as the social impacts as books moved from being the privilege of the elite to being available to the masses on a global scale.

With such a vast field to cover, Lyons is necessarily somewhat cursory in his treatment of most subjects, and there is not much by way of new information here. However the book is richly illustrated with some quite beautiful reproductions of notable texts and other art works. ( )

One of my textbooks this semester, but I’m counting it because I read the whole thing!

Lyons states that the technology of books is substantially different from the 'technology' of digital books. Sounds trite, but readers should more fully understand the implications of digitization; the pros and cons. ( )

Há 2.500 anos, livros tem sido usados para legislar, registrar, idolatrar, educar e divertir.
Esta belíssima história ilustrada explora uma das tecnologias mais versáteis, úteis e duradouras já inventadas.
Livro: uma história viva apresenta evolução e a influência dos livros em todo o mundo, desde as tabuletas cuneiformes dos sumérios, passando pelo desenvolvimento do tipo portátil, até a emergência da revolução moderna da informação.

A nice addition to any library and of interest to anyone interested in the subject of books about books . It is beautifully produced by the publisher Thames and Hudson,. The subject matter stretches historically widely over the themes chosen with many short essays over 5 themes (Ancient and Medieval worlds, The new Culture of Print, Enlightenment and the Masses , the Publisher arrives , and Knowledge for all . it is right up to date with the last essay on digitization . In a sense the coverage is superficial and light but the illustrations are well chosen and plentiful . In that sense the book belongs in the coffee table category . One learns as much from the illustrations as from the text . Nonetheless it's well assembled and I like the breadth . a glossary, bibliography for further reading, sources for the illustrations and an index ensure a well rounded and professional look . Three stars for text , 5 stars for illustrations .