The Gutenberg revolution : the story of a genius and an invention that changed the world

In 1450, all Europe's books were handcopied and amounted to only a few thousand. By 1500 they were printed, and numbered in their millions. The invention of one man - Johann Gutenberg - had caused a revolution. Printing by movable type was a discovery waiting to happen. Born in 1400 in Mainz, Germany, Gutenberg struggled against a background of plague and religious upheaval to bring his remarkable invention to light. His story is full of paradox: his ambition was to reunite all Christendom, but his invention shattered it; he aimed to make a fortune, but was cruelly denied the fruits of his life's work. Yet history remembers him as a visionary; his discovery marks the beginning of the modern world. In 1450, all Europe's books were handcopied and amounted to only a few thousand. By 1500, they were printed and numbered in their millions. The invention of Johann Gutenberg had caused a revolution: printing by movable type. Born in 1400 in Mainz, Germany, Gutenberg struggled against a background of plague and religious upheaval to bring his remarkable invention to light. His story is full of paradoxes: his ambition was to reunite all Christendom, but his invention shattered it; he aimed to make a fortune, but was cruelly denied the fruits of his life's work. Yet history remembers him as a visionary; his discovery marks the beginning of the modern world Dedication Map A note on typefaces Introduction: The Third Revolution 1. A Golden City, Tarnished 2. The Strasbourg Adventure 3. A Hercules Labouring for Unity 4. Something in the Air 5. The Secret Revealed 6. In Search of a Bestseller 7. The Bible 8. Colophon 9. Pressing to the Limits 10. Christendom Divided, the World United Appendix I The 42-Line Bible: A Possible Balance Sheet Appendix II German Printers Abroad: The First Wave Bibliography Acknowledgements About the Author Also by John Man "In 1450, all of Europe's books were hand copied and amounted to only a few thousand. By 1500 they were printed and numbered in their millions. Johann Gutenberg's invention of printing with movable type had caused a revolution."--Back cover The invention of one man - Johann Gutenberg - had caused a revolution. Printing by movable type was a discovery waiting to happen. This title tells about his life.