Scribes and Scholars: A Guide to the Transmission of Greek and Latin Literature [Paperback]

L. D. Reynolds (Author), N. G. Wilson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198721463 | ISBN-13: 978-0198721468 | Publication Date: May 9, 1991 | Edition: 3

The third edition of Scribes and Scholars takes into account the numerous discoveries in this rapidly-advancing field of knowledge by offering substantial revisions and additions. A note on how to interpret the information given in an apparatus criticus is also included.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A valuable resource for both graduate student and scholar....Every student of ancient literature needs to own and read this book."--Classical Bulletin

"A thorough, lively and up-to-date assessment of a complex historical process; an excellent introduction."--Charles Witke, University of Michigan

Praise for the First Edition: "This is an excellent book; its authors have fulfilled with striking success their aim to produce 'a simple introduction for beginners to the processes by which Greek and Latin literature have been preserved.' They have dealt with the essentials of this vast subject, and with the rudiments of textual criticism, in five very readable chapters, and their book deserves to be lastingly popular with...undergraduates."--Journal of Hellenic Studies

"Indispensable for classical students who have not read the previous edition, and recommended for those who want recent information on an essential subject."--The Classical World

"The many virtues of this book, which has become a classic of its kind, have been widely recognized and justly praised."--Bryn Mawr Classical Review

About the Author

L. D. Reynolds is at Brasenose College, Oxford. N. G. Wilson is at Lincoln College, Oxford.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 3 edition (May 9, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198721463
• ISBN-13: 978-0198721468
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #393,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic textbook, October 23, 2001

By 

Roger Pearse - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scribes and Scholars: A Guide to the Transmission of Greek and Latin Literature (Paperback)

"Scribes and Scholars" has become a classic. Now in the 3rd edition, it is a standard university textbook. It has also been translated into French with an additional bibliography by the great French scholar Pierre Petitmengin.

This books sets out to tell the story of how ancient literature travelled down the ages from the original authors to arrive in printed form in our hands. The focus is on the era to 1500, when printing takes over.

Everyone knows that before printing was invented, the only books were individually hand-copied. Reynolds and Wilson discuss the book trade of antiquity. The materials available - papyrus, parchment, leather and eventually paper - affect the story. The types of bookhand available in each era are discussed. When the Roman empire in the West collapsed, with it went not merely its military and political structures, but in fact every area of society, including the language itself. In the Greek East the picture was different, as Greek progressed on the long journey from Pericles to Papadopulous. Syriac and Arabic manuscripts are also mentioned. Each chapter has an interesting bibliography in the form of additional notes, which acts as a gateway into the literature.

The renaissance rediscovery is covered, in the only decent account in English.

Limitations? It would be very nice to have yet more footnotes. However this is hardly a criticism. Almost any section could easily be twice the length. I admit that I hanker for a longer book - yet this would probably be much less useful to most people.

One thing that becomes very quickly apparent is just how little material there is in English on this subject. The reader who seeks further information will find himself faced with non-English journals fairly quickly.

This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to get a real idea of just how our ancient heritage survived. Its easy reading too! Unreservedly recommended.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro to the history of classical scholarship, June 12, 2000

By 

theCardiffGiant (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scribes and Scholars: A Guide to the Transmission of Greek and Latin Literature (Paperback)

Informative and invaluable, Scribes and Scholars lends itself to the curiosity of the litterati as well as it does to the serious inquiry of beginning scholars. From the viable book trade of ancient Greece, through the centuries of forgotten scholarship and preservation, to the impetus of modern textual criticism, Scribes and Scholars is informing, engaging, and worth the cost.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scribes, scholars, and modern academics, February 14, 2007

By 

John Cisne - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Scribes and Scholars: A Guide to the Transmission of Greek and Latin Literature (Paperback)

Great book. Nothing quite like it. Useful reference for further investigations. Good introduction to Reynolds' "Texts and Transmission" (Oxford, '83, reprinted), another singular work.