A book is a written work of substantial length made by one or more authors, and in its familiar form it is a set of pages bound together along one edge and protected by a cover. The word comes from the Old English boc, and the format descends from the codex, which replaced the scroll and the clay tablet as the main carrier of long texts. Books were copied by hand as manuscripts until printing spread, first by woodblock and movable type in East Asia and then, from around 1450, through Johannes Gutenberg's press in Europe. Today books are sold in shops and online, lent by libraries, and also distributed as audiobooks and electronic books, with accessible editions such as braille and large print serving readers with print disabilities. Books are divided broadly into fiction and non-fiction and are set apart from periodicals such as newspapers and magazines, which appear on a regular schedule. Scholars still disagree about how exactly to define the book, since new formats keep stretching the term.
Facts
OriginThe Egyptians are widely considered the inventors of the physical book through their development of the scroll made from papyrus; the Romans are credited with the later codex. 1 Place of Origin Primary FormatPrint, the only book format used by a majority of Americans 2 Typical DistributionPrint, audiobooks and electronic books (ebooks) 3 Primary Format Primary Format Distribution Mode Still Active Connections
Associated With
Source Jennette McCurdy (Wikipedia)
Source Stephen King (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. High Point University Library: An abridged history of the book
Scrolls and Codexes section, sentence on Egyptian invention (place)
It is widely considered that the Egyptians are the inventors of the physical book with their development of the scroll.
Scrolls and Codexes section, sentence on Egyptian invention (note)
It is widely considered that the Egyptians are the inventors of the physical book with their development of the scroll.
Scrolls and Codexes section, sentence on the codex
would eventually develop the codex, the earliest relative of the modern book.
View the Source2. Pew Research Center: Americans still opt for print books over digital or audio versions
Print books remain on top sectionQuote, Print books remain on top section
Print continues to be the only book format used by a majority of Americans.
3. Book (Wikipedia)
Lead, printed form
The work is typically printed on many sheets of paper as pages bound together into a bookblock, then glued to the middle of a foldable cover that protects the pages.
Lead, ebooks and audiobooks
Nowadays, books can be distributed in other forms like audiobooks, and electronic books (ebooks).
Lead, sale and lending
Books are sold at general retail stores and specialized bookstores, as well as online, and can be borrowed from libraries or public bookcases.
Lead, other distribution forms
Nowadays, books can be distributed in other forms like audiobooks, and electronic books (ebooks).
View the Source4. State Library Victoria: History of the book
State Library VictoriaClosing paragraphQuote, Closing paragraph
In a world filled with electronic information, books continue to survive and flourish.
Stephen King (Wikipedia)
Associated With: Stephen King, LeadQuote, Associated With: Stephen King, Lead
is an American author
Jennette McCurdy (Wikipedia)
Associated With: Jennette McCurdy, LeadQuote, Associated With: Jennette McCurdy, Lead
she released a memoir, I'm Glad My Mom Died, which quickly topped bestseller lists
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