The Printing Press as an Agent of Change

A full-scale historical treatment of the advent of printing and its importance as an agent of change, first published in 1980.

Elizabeth L. Eisenstein (Author)

9780521299558, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 30 September 1980

820 pages
22.8 x 15.3 x 3.5 cm, 1.05 kg

'Her two volumes represent an extensive survey of the recent literature on the three intellectual and social movements of the period 1400–1700: the Italian Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation and the Scientific Revolution. Ms. Eisenstein examines the major hypotheses as to their causes and progress, and reassesses them in terms of the impact of printing and its products.' The New Republic

Originally published in two volumes in 1980, The Printing Press as an Agent of Change is now issued in a paperback edition containing both volumes. The work is a full-scale historical treatment of the advent of printing and its importance as an agent of change. Professor Eisenstein begins by examining the general implications of the shift from script to print, and goes on to examine its part in three of the major movements of early modern times - the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the rise of modern science.

Preface
Part I. Introduction to an Elusive Transformation: 1. The unacknowledged revolution
2. Defining the initial shift
some features of print culture
Part II. Classical and Christian Traditions Reorientated
Renaissance and Reformation Reappraised: 3. A classical revival reoriented: the two phases of the Renaissance
4. The scriptual tradition recast: resetting the stage for the Reformation
Part III. The Book of Nature Transformed: 5. Introduction: problems of periodization
6. Technical literature goes to press: some new trends in scientific writing and research
7. Resetting the stage for the Copernican Revolution
8. Sponsorship and censorship of scientific publication
Conclusion
Bibliographical index
General index.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], European history [HBJD]