Books Before Printing by Harrison Stewart

Books Before Printing explores the vibrant world of manuscript culture, before the printing press revolutionized communication. This history textbook dispels the myth of a "dark age," revealing a sophisticated ecosystem of knowledge production and transmission during the pre-printing era. Readers will discover the intricate processes involved in creating manuscripts, from preparing parchment to the artistry of illumination, and how these handmade books shaped intellectual and cultural landscapes.

The book examines the social and economic contexts of manuscript creation, detailing the roles of monastic scriptoria, university workshops, and independent scribes. It further investigates manuscript circulation and use, exploring who had access to these precious objects and how they functioned as tools for learning, worship, and political power.

Through paleography and codicology, the book analyzes the manuscripts themselves to extract historical insights, offering a comprehensive overview of this fascinating period.