The Invention of Printing. A Collection of Facts and Opinions, Descriptive of Early Prints and Playing Cards, the Block-Books of the Fifteenth Century, the Legend of Lourens Janszoon Coster, of Haarlem, and the Work of John Gutenberg and His Associates

"The Invention of Printing" by Theodore Low De Vinne recounts the history of printing through the stories of its creators and the arguments over who invented it first. The book explores the historical landscape of early bookmaking, showcasing the important work of people like John Gutenberg while also weighing competing claims from other areas, like the Netherlands. Early prints and playing cards are examined, alongside discussions of the machinery that gave rise to a turning point that spread learning far and wide. The story begins by noting how the rise of printing blends the simple craft of making books with an enigmatic past, where fact and story were often confused. The author points out that many existing books on the topic suffer from unnecessarily difficult language and ignore the hands-on processes involved in early printing. He sets out to provide an easy-to-grasp explanation of how early printing worked and the technology that made it all possible.