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Distributed for Reaktion Books

A History of Writing

Revised edition

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.

368 pages | 150 halftones | 5 x 7 3/4 | © 2020

History: General History


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Reviews

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

Pennsylvania Literary Journal

"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

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

New Scientist, on the first edition

“[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.”

Nature, on the first edition

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