Writing, Society and Culture in Early Rus, c.950–1300
Writing, Society and Culture in Early Rus, c.950–1300
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This book provides a thorough survey and analysis of the emergence and functions of written culture in Rus (covering roughly the modern East Slav lands of European Russia, Ukraine and Belarus). Part I introduces the full range of types of writing: the scripts and languages, the materials, the social and physical contexts, ranging from builders' scratches on bricks through to luxurious parchment manuscripts. Part II presents a series of thematic studies of the 'socio-cultural dynamics' of writing, in order to reveal and explain distinctive features in the Rus assimilation of the technology. The comparative approach means that the book may also serve as a case-study for those with a broader interest either in medieval uses of writing or in the social and cultural history of information technologies. Overall, the impressive scholarship and idiosyncratic wit of this volume commend it to students and specialists in Russian history and literature alike. Awarded the Alec Nove Prize, given by the British Association for Slavonic and East European Studies for the best book of 2002 in Russian, Soviet or Post-Soviet studies.
- Richly illustrated
- Set to become the standard work in the field (in any language) on the relationship of writing in the Rus' principalities to society as a whole
- Comprehensive, scholarly, but accessible to specialists and non-specialists
Reviews & endorsements
"...an invaluable resource..." Canadian Journal of History, T. Allan Smith, University of St. Michael's College
"This book is an outstanding contribution to early East Slavic history." American Historical Review
"...remarkable..." Language in Society
"The book is thorough yet concise. Throughout, Franklin draws broad and meaningful conclusions with very little oversimplification or overstatement. He is abreast of current theories about writing and society, but he is not constrained by them. The study should be of interest both to Slavists and to students of written culture in general. All academic libraries should order this book, as should anyone interested in early Rus'." The Russian Review
"Writing, Society and Culture is an impressive synthesis, and ultimately very timely. Franklin has begun a dialogue between Slavists and Western historians of the book at a moment of increasing openness to Western methodologies on the part of Slavists and great interest in Latinity's 'others' from Western medievalists. All such scholars will benefit from Franklin's book, as indeed would anyone interested in writing and in what 9and how) it means." - Robert Romanchuk, Florida State University
"Even an extensive review is too limited to mention all the strenghts of this illuminating and accomplished book." -Daniela S. Hristova, Harvard Ukrainian Studies
Product details
February 2010Paperback
9780521129022
356 pages
216 × 140 × 20 mm
0.45kg
Available
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Table of Contents
- Part I. The Graphic Environment:
- 1. The written remains
- 2. Scripts and languages
- 3. The changing environment
- Part II. Functions and Perceptions of Writing:
- 4. Writing and social organisation
- 5. Writing and learning
- 6. Writing and pictures
- 7. Writing and magic
- 8. Afterword: on the social and cultural dynamics of writing.
