A History of Writing

by Steven Roger Fischer

Overview

From the earliest scratches on stone and bone to the languages of computers and the internet, A History of Writing offers an investigation into the origin and development of writing throughout the world. Illustrated with numerous examples, this book offers a global overview in a format that everyone can follow. Steven Roger Fischer also reveals his own discoveries made since the early 1980s, making it a useful reference for students and specialists as well as a delightful read for lovers of the written word everywhere.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781861895882
Publisher:	Reaktion Books, Limited
Publication date:	09/10/2020
Series:	Globalities
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	368
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Steven Roger Fischer FRS is the author of many popular books, including A History of Language and A History of Reading, both published by Reaktion Books.

Table of Contents

Preface
1. From Notches to Tablets
2. Talking Art
3. Speaking Systems
4. From Alpha to Omega
5. The East Asian 'Regenesis'
6. The Americas
7. The Parchment Keyboard
8. Scripting the Future
References
Select Bibliography
Illustration Acknowledgements
Index

Editorial Reviews

If you’re intrigued by writing’s past, Fischer’s book is well worth a read. . . . brilliant.”—New Scientist

New Scientist

"[It] is wonderful . . . to see a subject that embraces so much of human civilisation handled with the wide knowledge and breadth of vision it deserves."

Nature

"A uniquely entertaining study of human language. . . . All libraries need to have this book on their shelves."

Pennsylvania Literary Journal

[It] is wonderful . . . to see a subject that embraces so much of human civilization handled with the wide knowledge and breadth of vision it deserves.

on the first edition Nature

[An] authoritative account. . . . If you’re intrigued by writing’s past, Fischer’s book is well worth a read. . . . Brilliant.

on the first edition New Scientist

"The book contains fascinating insights into significant writing discoveries. . . . A History of Writing is well worth reading from cover to cover, or dipping into, because of the remarkable detail. The book is of general interest and accessible to everyone. Technical terms are all carefully explained for the lay reader."

Journal of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading

"[It] is wonderful . . . to see a subject that embraces so much of human civilisation handled with the wide knowledge and breadth of vision it deserves."

Nature Lib