A History of Reading
I'm almost finished with all the Alberto Manguel my library has. A History of Reading covers some territory that The Library at Night and A Reader on Reading cover but it is always fascinating. Manguel traces how reading developed and changed in function and importance. Starting with Asyrian cunieform, probably detailing the trading of animals, moving through Egyptians and Greeks (Socrates disliked books!), then Rome and the Middle Ages, reading, how it happens, the forms of books, how it is taught and valued (or not) is a fascinating subject. Manguel structures his chapters as topics rather than strictly chronologically which makes the book flow incredibly well.
I had several favorite chapters; I really enjoyed learning about how silent reading may have developed; it never crossed my mind that reading to oneself is not the natural way to read. The chapter on metaphors of reading (like devouring books) was great. It made me want to read the poetry of Walt Whitman, which I have…
I had several favorite chapters; I really enjoyed learning about how silent reading may have developed; it never crossed my mind that reading to oneself is not the natural way to read. The chapter on metaphors of reading (like devouring books) was great. It made me want to read the poetry of Walt Whitman, which I have…