Dr. Albrecht Classen, University Distinguished Professor of German Studies
Monday, August 17, 2026: 3:00 – 4:00 pm, Koffler Great Room at ASA and Zoom
Many people believe that the age of printed books has come to an end. But that is a premature obituary; instead, we currently witness a renaissance of the book in its traditional glory while new market slots open for e-books. To understand the current issues affecting us all, this presentation will trace the history of the earliest writings to the ancient papyrus scroll to the medieval manuscript, from there to the invention of book printing (movable types), and then to the modern book, with final reflections on the digital age.
August 17, 2026: The History of the Book: From Scrolls to E-Books