Every individual book has a history which can help us to
understand what difference it may have made in the world.
Within these pages you will find books damaged by bullets
or graffiti, recovered from fire or water, or even disguised
as completely different texts for protection in dangerous
times. Marks of ownership — be it a rich treasure binding
or a humble family inscription — shine a light on social
history and literacy, while student doodles from the
sixteenth century and a variety of pithy annotations give
us a sense of readers through the ages.
We increasingly recognise that the cultural and research
value of books lies not just in their printed contents, but in
the many other things they can tell us about the ways they
have been used, read and regarded. Generously illustrated
with examples from the early Middle Ages to the present
day,
Speaking Volumes
presents a fascinating selection
of books in both public and private collections whose
individual histories tell surprising and illuminating stories,
encouraging us to look at and appreciate books in new and
non-traditional ways.