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Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World
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Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World Hardcover - 2001 - 1st Edition

by John Man


Summary

Praise for Alpha Beta"This book comes at the perfect moment as we rediscover the importance in early reading of cracking the alphabetic code. The story of how that code came into being is a fascinating one, and Man is the ideal writer to tell it." Times Educational Supplement"A richly absorbing exploration, from B.C. to PCs, of the evolution of the most fundamental characters of our cultural history, the alphabet we so much take for granted. John Man writes with a compellingly restless curiosity and immediacy. The ever surprising, exotically detailed narrative in his informative book makes it as undryly enjoyable as a successful archaelogical dig of one of Alan Moorehead s colorful histories of African exploration." David Grambs, author of The Describer s Dictionary and The Endangered English Dictionary"Text that is crisp, taut, and as clear as a bell.... A fascinating story with many a beguiling subplot along the way." New Scientist"Letter perfect the best histories and mysteries of our ABC s!" Jeff McQuain, author of Never Enough Words and Power Language

From the publisher

Praise for Alpha Beta
"This book comes at the perfect moment as we rediscover the importance in early reading of cracking the alphabetic code. The story of how that code came into being is a fascinating one, and Man is the ideal writer to tell it." Times Educational Supplement

"A richly absorbing exploration, from B.C. to PCs, of the evolution of the most fundamental characters of our cultural history, the alphabet we so much take for granted. John Man writes with a compellingly restless curiosity and immediacy. The ever surprising, exotically detailed narrative in his informative book makes it as undryly enjoyable as a successful archaelogical dig of one of Alan Moorehead s colorful histories of African exploration." David Grambs, author of The Describer s Dictionary and The Endangered English Dictionary

"Text that is crisp, taut, and as clear as a bell.... A fascinating story with many a beguiling subplot along the way." New Scientist

"Letter perfect the best histories and mysteries of our ABC s!" Jeff McQuain, author of Never Enough Words and Power Language

First line

HASH(0x110e4d30)

Details

  • Title Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World
  • Author John Man
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition number 1st
  • Edition 1
  • Pages 320
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher John Wiley & Sons, New York
  • Date June 29, 2001
  • ISBN 9780471415749 / 047141574X
  • Weight 0.94 lbs (0.43 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.18 x 5.5 x 1.11 in (20.78 x 13.97 x 2.82 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Alphabet - History
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2001023795
  • Dewey Decimal Code 411

About the author

JOHN MAN is a historian and travel writer with a special interest in Mongolia. His most recent books are Gobi: Tracking the Desert and The Atlas of the Year 1000. He also wrote The Waorani: Jungle Nomads of Ecuador and The Atlas of D-Day. He lives with his wife and family in London.
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Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World

by Man, John

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Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World
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Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World

by John Man

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Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World
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Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World

by Man, John

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Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World

Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World

by Man, John

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Alpha Beta : How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World

Alpha Beta : How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World

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Alpha Beta : How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World

Alpha Beta : How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World

by John Man

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  • Paperback
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780471415749 / 047141574X
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Alpha Beta : How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World
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Alpha Beta : How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World

by Man, John

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780471415749 / 047141574x
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Alpha Beta : How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World
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Alpha Beta : How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World

by Man, John

  • Used
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Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780471415749 / 047141574x
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Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World
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Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World

by Man, John

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Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Alpha Beta: How 26 Letters Shaped the Western World

by John Man

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  • Paperback
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Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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