
The Woman Who Discovered Printing
T.H. Barrett(Author)
Yale University Press
Will be published approx. on 19. July 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-0-300-20425-4 (ISBN)
Description
This beguiling book asks a set of unusual and fascinating questions-why is early Chinese printing so little acknowledged, despite anticipating Gutenberg by centuries? Why are the religious elements of all early printing overlooked? And why did printing in China not have the immediate obvious impact it did in Europe?
T. H. Barrett, a leading scholar of medieval China, brings us the answers through the intriguing story of Empress Wu (AD 625-705) and the revolution in printing that occurred during her rule. Linking Asian and European history with substantial new research into Chinese sources, Barrett identifies methods of transmitting texts before printing and explains the historical context of seventh-century China. He explores the dynastic reasons behind Empress Wu's specific interest in printing and the motivating role of her private religious beliefs. He also deduces from eighth- and ninth-century Chinese records an explanation for the lesser impact of the introduction of printing in China than in Europe. As Renaissance Europe was later astonished to learn of China's achievement, so today's reader will be fascinated by this engaging perspective on the history of printing and the technological superiority of Empress Wu's China.
T. H. Barrett, a leading scholar of medieval China, brings us the answers through the intriguing story of Empress Wu (AD 625-705) and the revolution in printing that occurred during her rule. Linking Asian and European history with substantial new research into Chinese sources, Barrett identifies methods of transmitting texts before printing and explains the historical context of seventh-century China. He explores the dynastic reasons behind Empress Wu's specific interest in printing and the motivating role of her private religious beliefs. He also deduces from eighth- and ninth-century Chinese records an explanation for the lesser impact of the introduction of printing in China than in Europe. As Renaissance Europe was later astonished to learn of China's achievement, so today's reader will be fascinated by this engaging perspective on the history of printing and the technological superiority of Empress Wu's China.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
6 b-w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
249 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-20425-4 (9780300204254)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
T. H. Barrett is professor of East Asian History at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. Among his books are , Taoism Under the T'ang; Li Ao: Buddhist, Taoist or Neo-Confucian? and, with Peter Hobson, Poems of Hanshan. He lives in Cambridgeshire, England.