Reading in America: Literature and Social History

What is a book? Cathy N. Davidson brings together twelve distinguished authors to offer the first history of books in America from Puritan time to the present—and to introduce American readers to the exciting field of inquiry known in France as histoire du livre. Drawing on the methodologies of history, education, literary studies, ethnography, and bibliography, the authors explore subjects ranging from book production and publishing practices to the role books played in the lives of Americ...