Marie Lebert takes us on a clear journey through the history of the written word. She starts with the birth of the printed book and walks us right up to the digital age. The book isn't a dry list of inventions; it shows how each shift—from manuscript to print, from print to digital—changed who could read, what they could read, and how knowledge spread across the world.

Why You Should Read It

You might think a book with this title is only for librarians or tech experts. It's not. Lebert writes about ideas, not just gadgets. She makes you see the ebook on your tablet as part of a 500-year conversation. The best parts explore the tension between physical books we can hold and digital texts we can search instantly. She doesn't pick a side, but she makes you appreciate what we gain and what we might lose with each new format.

Final Verdict

This is the perfect book for curious readers who love books but also love their e-readers. If you've ever felt nostalgic for paper while enjoying the convenience of digital, Lebert gives you the history to understand that feeling. It's also great for anyone in publishing, education, or tech who wants a thoughtful, big-picture look at how we got here and where we might be going next.