A History of Reading
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A History of Reading
by Authors:
Alberto Manguel
Released: 01 October, 1997
ISBN: 0140166548
Paperback
Sales Rank: 80621
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List price:
$16.00
Our price:
$10.88
(You save: $5.12)
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| Book > A History of Reading > Customer Reviews: |
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Average Customer Rating: 
A History of Reading >
Customer Review #1:
 An engaging and eclectic survey
When I first saw Alberto Manguels A History of Reading, two thoughts ran through my mind. First, what a wonderful topic for a work of non-fiction. Second, how can one possibly write such a book? I am thrilled to report that Manguel has succeeded beyond all expectations. Both a personal essay telling of Manguels own learning to read and encounters with books and a highly eclectic survey of books and reading through the ages, History provides both erudition and levity, scholarship and wit. In broad outline, Manguel groups his books in two sections. In the first, "Acts of Reading", he tells how reading itself took different shapes during the ages, including being read to, picture reading (books made up of pictures for the non-reader), reading silently to oneself, and other matters. The second part is captioned "Powers of the Reader and deals with the forbidden reader (e.g., pre-emancipation slaves in the American south); translation; prophesy; and other matters. Manguel quickly becomes an old friend and companion. I hated to see this book end!
A History of Reading >
Customer Review #2:
make "time" to read this book.
Any lover of books and reading will love the time spent here in these pages. "Time" is often the reason many people give for NOT reading. Others often feel guilty about the actual amount of time that they gladly devote to reading. I admit that I am of this latter group. Reading Manguels book puts it all in perspective... makes me fall in love with the printed word all over again, and helps me to realize that I am part of a long line of splendour... that there is indeed, a wonderful history of those who have loved reading and/or writing books.His book is an excellent thematic study; the erudite gleanings of seven years of research, and chockfull of the personal touch of a lifetime of being profoundly bookish. Along with vignettes of his personal acquaintance with Argentine poet Jorge Luis Borges, there are very insightful passages on Franz Kafka, Walt Whitman, Rainer Maria Rilke and many other greats. I remember being surprised that Manguel (a Canadian resident since 1982) was not even shortlisted for the Governor Generals award for this book... but then later on it won one of the worlds most prestigious of awards, Frances Prix Medicis... and all was well with the world. Its a beautifully written book. It fortifies my conviction that if Im ever too busy to be a READER... then Im definitely too busy, and somethings gotta go!
A History of Reading >
Customer Review #3:
 Just another book about books.
Read this book with high expectations after reading the mostly very high ratings.Ive read others of this type and find they are usually written with an attitude that unless it was written in europe,by some antisocial misfit,and endorsed by some group of self praising egotists;then it isnt worth talking about.This kind of attitude is rampant in scholarly and literary circles and tends to turn off readers.This book had a lot of stuff;but little to inspire one to read.This same attitude in another area such as Medicine, would have us seeking out barber poles and leeches.An open mind is essential in all the Arts.In the words of Andre Maurois "In literature,as in love,we are astonished at what is chosen by others.".
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A History of Reading >
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