The books age has taken 'the book' to a turning point. But in fact, casting off old technologies and taking on new ones has been part of the history of the book since Egyptian times. At this crucial time for the future of books as we know them today, this volume tells the story of the book from the very beginning: From inscriptions on tombs to the first writings on papyrus; how scrolls gave way to the first bound 'codex' books in Roman times; from exclusive and expensive hand-scribed books, to the creation of movable type, and the invention of printing for the masses; and from the printed book to the digital book, the books reader...and beyond. Illustrating this story with lavish photography of some of the most treasured artefacts from the world's historic collections, A History of the Book in 100 Books traces mankind's very long quest to communicate ideas and knowledge.