Book cover of Paper Before Print: The History and Impact of Paper in the Islamic World

Book description

Like the printing press, typewriter, and computer, paper has been a crucial agent for the dissemination of information. This engaging book presents an important new chapter in paper's history: how its use in Islamic lands during the Middle Ages influenced almost every aspect of medieval life. Focusing on the spread…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Paper Before Print as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Bloom’s book, available in hardcover at a reasonable price, but not on Kindle, is a work of art. 

His intention is obviously to cover the period between 105 AD when pulp paper was first made and the 1000s AD when the Islamic papermakers saw their improved paper taken over by medieval Italian mills where it was improved further into the type of paper that could be used by Gutenberg in the 1450s. 

This period of over a thousand years saw profound changes, during which the papyrus paper and parchment that still ruled the Kingdom of Paper was gradually replaced. Bloom…

From John's list on the history of paper.

If you love Paper Before Print...

Ad

Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Want books like Paper Before Print?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Paper Before Print.

Browse books like Paper Before Print

Book cover of Writing on the Wall: Social Media - The First 2,000 Years
Book cover of The Paper Trail: An Unexpected History of a Revolutionary Invention
Book cover of White Magic: The Age of Paper

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,276

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like Paper Before Print, you might also like...

The Year Mrs. Cooper Got Out More by Meredith Marple,

Book cover of The Year Mrs. Cooper Got Out More: A Great Wharf Novel

The coastal tourist town of Great Wharf, Maine, boasts a crime rate so low you might suspect someone’s lying.

Nevertheless, jobless empty nester Mallory Cooper has become increasingly reclusive and fearful. Careful to keep the red wine handy and loath to leave the house, Mallory misses her happier self—and so…

That First Heady Burn by George Bixley,

Book cover of That First Heady Burn

Don’t mess with the hothead—or he might just mess with you. Slater Ibáñez is only interested in two kinds of guys: the ones he wants to punch, and the ones he sleeps with. Things get interesting when they start to overlap. A freelance investigator, Slater trolls the dark side of…

5 book lists we think you will like!