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Palimpsest : a History of the Written Word by Matthew Battles is a reference work available to read on EtoBox.

What is Palimpsest : a History of the Written Word about?

A profound, eloquent meditation on the history of writing, from Mesopotamia to multimedia. Why does writing exist? What does it mean to those who write? Born from the interplay of natural and cultural history, the seemingly magical act of writing has continually expanded our consciousness. Portrayed in mythology as either a gift from heroes or a curse from the gods, it has been used as both an instrument of power and a channel of the divine; a means of social bonding and of individual self-definition. Now, as the revolution once wrought by the printed word gives way to the digital age, many fear that the art of writing, and the nuanced thinking nurtured by writing, are under threat. But writing itself, despite striving for permanence, is always in the midst of growth and transfiguration. Celebrating the impulse to record, invent, and make one's mark, Matthew Battles reenchants the written word for all those susceptible to the power and beauty of writing in all of its forms. ** Review “This fascinating exploration of the evolution of writing shows how, despite radical technological changes, the practice maintains its atavistic mystery…. And the history of the written word, as this

Who reads Palimpsest : a History of the Written Word?

Author

Matthew Battles

Publisher

W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated

Published

2015

Language

EN

ISBN

9780393089516

Category

reference

Rating

2.98 / 5 (91 ratings)

Updated

2026-03-14