A sweeping; richly detailed history that tells the fascinating story of how paper—the simple Chinese invention of two thousand years ago—wrapped itself around our world; humankind’s most momentous ideas imprinted on its surface. The emergence of paper in the imperial court of Han China brought about a revolution in the transmission of knowledge and ideas; allowing religions; philosophies and propaganda to spread with ever greater ease. The first writing surface sufficiently cheap; portable and printable for books; pamphlets and journals to be mass-produced and distributed widely; paper opened the way for an unprecedented; ongoing dialogue between individuals and between communities across continents; oceans and time. The Paper Trail explores how the new substance was used to solidify social and political systems that influenced China even into our own time. We see how paper made possible the spread of the then new religions of Buddhism and Manichaeism into Japan; Korea and Vietnam . . . how it enabled theologians; scientists and artists to build the vast and signally intellectual empire of the Abbasid Caliphate and embed the Koran in popular culture . . . how paper was carried along the Silk Road by merchants and missionaries; finally reaching Europe in the late thirteenth century . . . and how; once established in Europe; along with the printing press; paper played an essential role in the three great foundations of Western modernity: the Renaissance; the Reformation and the Scientific Revolution. Here is a dramatic; comprehensively researched; vividly written story populated by holy men and scholars; warriors and poets; rulers and ordinary men and women—an essential story brilliantly told in this luminous work of history.
#799710 in Books Harlow Giles Unger 2011-11-08 2011-11-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .76 x 6.00l; .85 #File Name: 0306820463336 pagesLion of Liberty Patrick Henry and the Call to a New Nation
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. FREEMEN OR DEATH!By richard e whitelockThis is one historical novel you will want to read. Patrick Henry along with Sam Adams were the first colonists to call for liberty from suppressive government both in the 13 colonies as well as Parliament and the King. His rhetoric was first experienced as he fought for his version of the Virginia Resolves around 1763 If the residents couldn't live as freemen with the same blessings of liberty that English citizens enjoyed; then it was time to take up arms and fight for man's inalienable rights. At the same time; other colonies were writing their version of these resolves; but the Virginia Colony through the House of Burgess was one of the leaders in expressing and passing these God given rights that all men should enjoy.Henry described the type of Government that should be present in the colonies. And remember that initially he wasn't pushing for separation from the crown. He simply wanted the right to govern the colony through a representative form of government that Britain would recognize and accept. And there was no room for any type of taxation upon the colonies whether it was through import duties or outright taxation. The cry of no taxation without representation was heard often. And the colonist in time declared independence and made the sacrifice for what became better known as "the cause."Navigation Act; Sugar Act; and Stamp Acts all fed the fire of independence. And when Patrick Henry said "Liberty or Death"; he was speaking for most people in all thirteen colonies. The American Revolution was borne!d0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The FirebrandBy George J. HeidemarkRevolutions have various types of leaders: those who are there at the beginning( Samuel Adams) military icons( Washington) intellectuals( John Adams and Thomas Jefferson) propagandists ( Thomas Paine) and old fashioned troublemakers. Patrick Henry falls into this last category. He was an early convert to revolution against England and he resisted strong government authority till his last days. This solid biography by Harlow Giles Unger ( who specializes in the Founders) tells Henry's tale from his early hard scrabble days on the Virginia frontier to his resistance against the Constitutional Convention in 1787.( When asked to attend the Constitutional Convention he responded"I smell a rat") Henry was a early opponent to England' s power and it is all here from the Parson's Cause to his "If this be Treason" speech to the speech that everyone knows which ends with the responding cry "Give me Liberty or Give me Death".This is more then just a political biography it also delves into Henry's personal life including his tragic first marriage.It can be argued who were the revolutions greatest leaders but it can not be argued that Patrick Henry was a radical firebrand whose oratorical gifts helped push often reluctant people toward revolution. He deserves to be remembered for more then one speech and this biography does him justice. He was not a believer in a strong central government like Washington he envisioned a republic where the individual states held sway but his actions and leadership helped bring about American freedom and this study brings him to life.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great BookBy SJBGood book by a very good author about a great man that we know far too little about! "Give me Liberty or Give me Death!" only has meaning when you know the man; history and his place in it.
