Description
Book SynopsisExplores the ways in which records of human experience are collected. This work describes the crucial role libraries played in ancient Egypt, Han-dynasty China, the ancient Western Classical world (the great library of Alexandria, which was lost to us in stages over many years), the Baghdad of Harun-al-Rashid, and medieval and Renaissance Europe.
Trade Review"'We now have a book with ideas to impress general readers from the outside and stretch library-history insiders, especially those of us who are lucky enough to be teaching library history courses, for which this should now be the text of choice.' Librari"
Table of ContentsList of illustrations; Preface; 1. The Earliest Libraries; 2. Libraries of Classical Antiquity; 3. Lanterns of the Dark Ages; 4. Libraries of the Orient; 5. Libraries of the Islamic World; 6. The High Middle Ages; 7. Gutenberg's Legacy; 8. Treasuries of the Book; 9. The Repositories of Knowledge; 10. Libraries for the People; 11. The Rising Generation; 12. Putting Knowledge to Work; 13. The Craft of Librarianship; 14. Libraries of the Future; Notes; Principal Works Consulted; Index.
