The Reign of the Manuscript

The Reign of the Manuscript, written by Perry Wayland Sinks and first published in 1917, explores the evolution of manuscript literature and its significance leading up to the invention of the printing press. The book examines the labor-intensive nature of manuscript production and highlights the transformative impact of movable type introduced by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century. Sinks provides a historical account of how this technological advancement reshaped the dissemination of knowledge and culture, marking a pivotal shift in literature's accessibility and preservation.