24 Questions
What was used by the Egyptians to write on around 2400 BCE?
Papyrus made from plant reeds
What innovation in printing was developed in China?
Movable type
What was the significance of Johannes Gutenberg's invention?
He developed a mechanical printing press
What type of book was made of sheets of parchment sewn together with a leather cover?
Codex
Which of the following was NOT used as a writing material in ancient times?
Metal sheets
What marked the beginning of book publishing in the American colonies?
The Whole Booke of Psalms
Who used parchment, which was stronger and less expensive than papyrus?
The Romans
What was the material used by the Chinese to create booklike objects?
Strips of wood and bamboo tied together
What was the first novel to be reprinted and sold in America in 1744?
Pamela
What was the main reason behind the introduction of paperback books and dime novels?
To reduce the cost of books
What was the significance of the year 1865 in the history of publishing?
Four million volumes were sold, making books a mass medium
What is one of the cultural values of books?
They are agents of social and cultural change
What is one of the reasons why people prefer reading books?
Because they encourage personal reflection
Why have books been targeted for censorship?
Because they are agents of social and cultural change
What is aliteracy?
The ability to read but refusing to do so
Why are books considered mirrors of culture?
Because they reflect the culture that produces and consumes them
What is the trend in the book retailing industry?
Bookstores are now located in big malls and offer a variety of products.
What is one of the categories of books?
Higher education books
What is the result of convergence in the book industry?
The book industry has become more diverse and innovative.
Why were Harry Potter books banned in some school libraries?
Because they were considered anti-Christian and anti-religion.
What is the classification of Harry Potter books in the publishing industry?
Children's literature
What is one of the results of convergence in the book industry?
The rise of e-publishing
What is one of the characteristics of modern bookstores?
They have a coffee shop.
What is one of the ways publishers can avoid being censored?
By publishing a variety of books and formats.
Study Notes
A Short History of Books
- Oral culture passed on information and values through community elders or tribal storytellers before books existed.
- Print culture and the book provided a more enduring record of authors' words.
- Egyptians wrote on papyrus made from plant reeds around 2400 BCE.
- Romans used parchment, treated animal skin, around 300 BCE, which was stronger, smoother, more durable, and less expensive than papyrus.
- The Chinese created book-like objects using strips of wood and bamboo tied together and invented paper made from cotton and linen.
- The codex, a type of book, was made of sheets of parchment sewn together and covered with wood and leather.
Printing and Publishing
- Chinese printers developed block printing, where sheets of paper were applied to blocks of inked wood with raised surfaces depicting hand-carved letters and illustrations.
- Movable type was invented in China, featuring individual characters made from reusable pieces of wood or metal.
- Johannes Gutenberg developed a mechanical printing press using movable type, producing the first modern books, including 200 copies of the Latin Bible.
Books in the United States
- The Whole Booke of Psalms marked the beginning of book publishing in the colonies.
Categories of Books
- Book Club Editions
- Higher education books
- Mail-order books
- Mass market paperbacks
- Professional books
- Religious books
- Standardized textbooks
- Subscription reference books
- Trade books
- University press books
Trends and Convergence in Books
- Convergence is altering the book industry, including e-publishing, e-books, print on demand, and e-readers.
- Book retailing has changed, with bookstores now often located in malls and offering more than just books.
Media Literacy
- The Harry Potter series raised questions about media literacy, including understanding content as text and its impact on culture and society.
Books and Their Audiences
- Books are agents of social and cultural change, allowing for the spread of new ideas.
- Books are important cultural repositories, offering a window into the past and reflecting the culture that produces and consumes them.
- Books are important sources of personal development, entertainment, and escape.
- The purchase and reading of a book is a personal and individual activity that encourages personal reflection.
Censorship
- Books have been targeted for censorship because of their influence as cultural repositories and agents of social change.
- Censorship involves limiting publication of or access to a book, and aliteracy refers to the ability to read but refusing to do so.
Explore the evolution of books from oral culture to print culture, and discover how they have impacted the way we record and pass on information.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
