English Books and Readers 3 Volume Set

Since its publication in 1952, this three-volume history of the book trade in Britain, which encompasses Caxton to the eve of the Civil War, has achieved classic status. The first volume addresses the invention of printing and its impact on the growth of European civilization. It traces the early development of the book trade to the incorporation of the Stationers' Company. An account of the numerous and diverse pamphlets produced in Britain during the reign of Elizabeth I is provided in the second volume. In the third volume, which covers the reigns of Charles I and James I, the rich variety of publications in areas such as religion, popular science, law, travel, literature, astronomy, and history are examined. Each volume presents a vivid picture of the book trade and its part in the intellectual and cultural life of the age, including relations among authors, printers, and booksellers.