Writing: Theory and History of the Technology of Civilization

"For anyone interested in language, writing, and their fascinating history across many cultures and centuries of development, this engagingly written, well-illustrated book will provide a very readable mine of information." (CHOICE, December 2009)

“Powell's concentration on precise names for terms used in discourse clears up some of the confusion common to histories of work on ancient scripts.” (About.com, May 2009)

“A feature … is the use of the ancient scripts in the text with numerous illustrations to familiarize the reader with the different writing systems. The result is a readable and enlightening study of a complex topic.” (Bryn Mawr Classical Review, April 2010)

“Writing is stimulating and impressive.” (Science, April 2009)

"This is an excellent, accessible introduction to writing's origins and development; Powell's jargon-free exposition clarifies many important issues in a way that specialist discussions have rarely achieved to date."
–John Bennet, University of Sheffield