Papyrus : The Invention of Books in the Ancient World Hardcover

A rich exploration of the importance of books and libraries in the ancient world that highlights how humanity's obsession with the printed word has echoed throughout the ages Long before books were mass-produced, scrolls hand copied on reeds pulled from the Nile were the treasures of the ancient world. Emperors and Pharaohs were so determined to possess them that they dispatched emissaries to the edges of earth to bring them back. When Mark Antony wanted to impress Cleopatra, he knew that gold and priceless jewels would mean nothing to her. So, what did her give her? Books for her library—two hundred thousand, in fact. The long and eventful history of the written word shows that books have always been and will always be a precious—and precarious—vehicle for civilization. Papyrus is the story of the book's journey from oral tradition to scrolls to codices, and how that transition laid the very foundation of Western culture. Award-winning author Irene Vallejo evokes the great mosaic of literature in the ancient world from Greece's itinerant bards to Rome's multimillionaire philosophers, from opportunistic forgers to cruel teachers, erudite librarians to defiant women, all the while illuminating how ancient ideas about education, censorship, authority, and identity still resonate today. Crucially, Vallejo also draws connections to our own time, from the library in war-torn Sarajevo to Oxford's underground labyrinth, underscoring how words have persisted as our most valuable creations. Through nimble interpretations of the classics, playful and moving anecdotes about her own encounters with the written word, and fascinating stories from history, Vallejo weaves a marvelous tapestry of Western culture's foundations and identifies the humanist values that helped make us who we are today. At its heart a spirited love letter to language itself, Papyrus takes readers on a journey across the centuries to discover how a simple reed grown along the banks of the Nile would give birth to a rich and cherished culture. WINNER OF SPAIN'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS LITERARY PRIZE: Papyrus was a recipient of the National Essay Prize, awarded each year by the Spanish Ministry of Culture and widely considered one of the highest literary honors in Spain. Papyrus has won numerous other accolades abroad, and is sure to be a modern classic in the United States, as well. FASCINATING HISTORY: Book lovers are bound to devour Papyrus. Vallejo's history of book culture through the ages is exquisitely written and wonderfully entertaining, and it will make a lasting contribution to our understanding about the value of writing and the art of producing, reading, and interpreting books. BEAUTIFULLY TRANSLATED: Vallejo's marvelous stories and luminous insights come to life in Charlotte Whittle's hands. Whittle's previous translations have been long-listed for the Best Translated Book Award and short-listed for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation. Marketing: Influencer Outreach and Social Promotion Early Reader Review Campaign Preorder Promotion Enhanced Content for Retailers Pursue Partnership Opportunities E-Newsletter Campaign Library Marketing Academic Marketing Publicity: National Review Attention History Media Coverage Extensive Literary and History Podcast Outreach Author Events Author Social Media: Twitter: @IreneValMore