Presented as a comprehensive, up-to-date narrative, this book explores the impact of books, manuscripts, and other kinds of material texts on the cultures and societies of the British Isles. This collaboratively authored narrative history combines the knowledge and expertise of five scholars who seek to answer questions such as: How does the material form of a text affect its meaning? How do books shape political and religious movements? How have the economics of the book trade and copyright shaped the literary canon? Who has been included in and excluded from the world of books, and why?