In these pages, Nicholas Basbanes—the consummate bibliophile’s bibliophile—shows how paper has been civilization’s constant companion. It preserves our history and gives record to our very finest literary, cultural, and scientific accomplishments. Since its invention in China nearly two millennia ago, the technology of paper has spread throughout the inhabited world.
With deep knowledge and care, Basbanes traces paper’s trail from the earliest handmade sheets to the modern-day mills. Paper, yoked to politics, has played a crucial role in the unfolding of landmark events, from the American Revolution to Daniel Ellsberg’s Pentagon Papers to the aftermath of 9/11. Without paper, modern hygienic practice would be unimaginable; as currency, people will do almost anything to possess it; and, as a tool of expression, it is inextricable from human culture. Lavishly researched, compellingly written, this masterful guide illuminates paper’s endless possibilities
From its origins in China 1,800 years ago to its role in recording Islamic scholars' thoughts, Basbanes traces paper's journey across Europe, North America, and beyond. Discover how paper has been essential in recording history, making laws, conducting business, and even modern hygiene practices. Learn how it fueled the Industrial Revolution and became a coveted currency.
On Paper also explores paper's involvement in major political scandals and trials, such as the Dreyfus Affair, the Pentagon Papers, and Watergate. Join Basbanes on his travels to uncover the story of paper—from China’s Burma Road to the National Security Agency in Maryland, where millions of secret documents are recycled into pizza boxes. On Paper is a must-read for anyone interested in the profound impact of this everyday material.
"As a force in shaping historical events, paper rarely draw attention to itself, yet its role is evident to varying degrees in scenario after scenario. One telling case in point is the introduction of human flight during the eighteenth century in France, when the Montgolfier brothers used several layers of paper made in the family mill to line the inner skin of the world's first hot-air balloon." ––Nicholas A. Basbanes, Preface.
