The Case for Books
Past, Present, and Future
Robert Darnton
PublicAffairs
Présentation
The invention of writing was one of the most important technological,
cultural, and sociological breakthroughs in human history. With the printed
book, information and ideas could disseminate more widely and effectively than
ever before -- and in some cases, affect and redirect the sway of history.
Today, nearly one million books are published each year. But is the era of the
book as we know it -- a codex of bound pages -- coming to an end? And if it
is, should we celebrate its demise and the creation of a democratic digital
future, or mourn an irreplaceable loss? The digital age is revolutionizing the
information landscape. Already, more books have been scanned and digitized
than were housed in the great library in Alexandria, making available millions
of texts for a curious reader at the click of a button, and electronic book
sales are growing exponentially. Will this revolution in the delivery of
information and entertainment make for more transparent and far-reaching
dissemination or create a monopolistic stranglehold?
In The Case for Books, Robert Darnton, an intellectual pioneer in the field of
the history of the book and director of Harvard University's Library, offers
an in-depth examination of the book from its earliest beginnings to its
shifting role today in popular culture, commerce, and the academy. As an
author, editorial advisor, and publishing entrepreneur, Darnton is a unique
authority on the life and role of the book in society. This book is a wise
work of scholarship -- one that requires readers to carefully consider how the
digital revolution will broadly affect the marketplace of ideas.
Caractéristiques
Éditeur | PublicAffairs |
---|---|
Date de publication | 22 juillet 2009 |
Langue | anglais |
Fiches UNIMARC | S'identifier |