Review
“In The Medieval Scriptorium—an engaging and beautifully illustrated volume—Charles traces the evolution of the book from the early Christian centuries to the development of printing, a story covering some 1,500 years. . . . The author’s love of these books shines through and her enthusiasm and appreciation of the skill involved in making these works of art are infectious. The reader will learn much about medieval books, their makers and their making.” ― Methodist Recorder
"Glimpses of medieval belief and culture, trade, relationships with nature, and – most of all – individual medieval lives: Sara J. Charles’s brilliant book reveals the world of the Middle Ages through the pages of its manuscripts." -- Catherine Clarke, director of the Centre for the History of People, Place and Community at the Institute of Historical Research, London
“From squirrel hair brushes to scripts, Charles offers a comprehensive and engagingly accessible introduction to medieval book production. At times strikingly imaginative in form, this book brings together creative vignettes, intermittent chronologies, illustrations, and lucid prose to trace the contours of manuscript making in this period.” -- Hannah Ryley, Balliol College, University of Oxford, and author of "Re-using Manuscripts in Late Medieval England"
"In this compellingly written, fascinating must-read, Charles leads us on sensory journey of the tactile, unexpectedly smelly, excruciatingly painful, and divinely jubilant reality of manuscript-making in medieval Europe. A joyous page-turner!" -- Elizabeth Savage, senior lecturer in book history and communications, Institute of English Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London
"The Medieval Scriptorium vividly recreates the techniques and processes that underlay the production of books over the thousand-year period of the Middle Ages. Charles’s intimate grasp of her subject gives us a volume that is filled with delightful detail while offering a richly insightful overview of its compelling topic." -- Timothy Graham, distinguished professor of history, University of New Mexico, and coauthor of "Introduction to Manuscript Studies"
About the Author
Sara J. Charles works and studies at Senate House, University of London. She has previously published on various aspects of the history of the book.
