This delightful book tells the story of ancient libraries from their very beginnings, when 'books' were clay tablets and writing was a new phenomenon. Renowned classicist Lionel Casson takes us on a lively tour, from the royal libraries of the most ancient Near East, through the private and public libraries of Greece and Rome, down to the first Christian monastic libraries. To the founders of the first public libraries of the Greek world goes the credit for creating the prototype of today's library buildings and the science ...
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This delightful book tells the story of ancient libraries from their very beginnings, when 'books' were clay tablets and writing was a new phenomenon. Renowned classicist Lionel Casson takes us on a lively tour, from the royal libraries of the most ancient Near East, through the private and public libraries of Greece and Rome, down to the first Christian monastic libraries. To the founders of the first public libraries of the Greek world goes the credit for creating the prototype of today's library buildings and the science of organising books in them. Casson recounts the development of ancient library buildings, systems, holdings, and patrons, addressing questions on a wide variety of topics, such as: What was the connection between the rise in eduction and literacy and the growth of libraries?; Who contributed to the early development of public libraries, especially the great library at Alexandria?; What did ancient libraries include in their holdings?; How did ancient libraries acquire books?; What was the nature of publishing in the Greek and Roman world?; How did differnt types of users (royalty, scholars, religious figures) and different kinds of 'books' (tablets, scrolls, codices) affect library arrangements?; How did Christianity transform the nature of library holdings?; Just as a library yields unexpected treasures to a meandering browser, this entertaining book offers to its perusers the surprising history of the rise and development of ancient libraries - a fascinating story never told before.
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Seller's Description:
Good Condition. Dust jacket is fully intact. Contents clean and fresh, with uncreased pages. Otherwise sound. Publisher's note: This text tells the story of ancient libraries from their very beginnings, when "books" were clay tablets and writing was a new phenomenon-from royal libraries of the ancient Near East, through the private and public libraries of Greece and Rome, down to the first Christian monastic libraries. Size: 21 x 14.6 x 1.9 cm. xii, 177 pp. Shipped Weight: Under 500 grams. Category: History; Libraries; ISBN: 0300088094. ISBN/EAN: 9780300088090. Add. Inventory No: 231118CMP015039.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Shows minimal wear such as frayed or folded edges, minor rips and tears, and/or slightly worn binding. May have stickers and/or contain inscription on title page. No observed missing pages.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. DUST JACKET HAS SOME MINOR SHELF WEAR BUT BOOK REMAINS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. hardcover 100% of proceeds go to charity! May have signs of use, wear and minor cosmetic defects.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Hardcover This item shows wear from consistent use but remains in good readable condition. It may have marks on or in it, and may show other signs of previous use or shelf wear. May have minor creases or signs of wear on dust jacket. Packed with care, shipped promptly.
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Seller's Description:
Acceptable. Hardcover The item is fairly worn but still readable. Signs of wear include aesthetic issues such as scratches, worn covers, damaged binding. The item may have identifying markings on it or show other signs of previous use. May have page creases, creased spine, bent cover or markings inside. Packed with care, shipped promptly.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good in Very Good jacket. Size: 5x0x7; Later printing. Traces of shelfwear to bottom edges of boards and to rear of dust jacket, otherwise extremely crisp and clean, firmly bound, essentially as new. Dust jacket unclipped, in mylar.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in fine dust jacket. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 192 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. 12mo-over 6¾-7¾" tall. Book is in excellent condition: White speckled covers with black spine and gilt titling on spine are clean and unmarked, with only minor corner bumping; Pages are bright, clean, and unmarked; light dust soil and foxing to top text block edge; binding is tight and sound. Dust jacket is also excellent; clean and unmarked, with very little edge wear (creases only). Dust jacket is protected with a mylar wrapper. 177 pages. Includes illustrations, index, bibliography. Ships via USPS with tracking.
