''The Late Age of Print: Everyday Book Culture from Consumerism to Control'' (2009) is a contemporary book written by

Ted Striphas Theodore G. Striphas is an American academic and author of '' The Late Age of Print''. Career Striphas received his PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is currently an associate professor of Media Studies in the College ...

. Ted Striphas is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication and Culture and adjunct professor of American Studies and Cultural Studies at

Indiana University Indiana University (IU) is a system of public universities in the U.S. state of Indiana. Campuses Indiana University has two core campuses, five regional campuses, and two regional centers under the administration of IUPUI. *Indiana Universit ...

. In this book, the author talks about the history of books and reading, and discusses the contemporary world of book culture. The author mentions the different phases of production and propagation of books. According to Striphas, printing productions are still a part of our everyday lives. "With examples from

trade journal A trade magazine, also called a trade journal or trade paper (colloquially or disparagingly a trade rag), is a magazine or newspaper whose target audience is people who work in a particular trade or industry. The collective term for this ...

s, news media, films, advertisements, and a host of other commercial and scholarly materials, Striphas tells a story of modern publishing that proves, even in a rapidly digitizing world, books are anything but dead."

Description

Striphas presents some trends and events that are taking place in the contemporary book and printing industry. "From the rise of retail superstores to

Oprah Oprah Gail Winfrey (; born Orpah Gail Winfrey; January 29, 1954), or simply Oprah, is an American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist. She is best known for her talk show, ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'', br ...

's phenomenal reach, Striphas tracks the methods through which the book industry has adapted (or has failed to adapt) to rapid changes in twentieth-century print culture." However, he also states that because of the advancement of digital technology and

e-books An ebook (short for electronic book), also known as an e-book or eBook, is a book publication made available in digital form, consisting of text, images, or both, readable on the flat-panel display of computers or other electronic devices. Alt ...

, the printing and

bookbinding Bookbinding is the process of physically assembling a book of codex format from an ordered stack of ''signatures'', sheets of paper folded together into sections that are bound, along one edge, with a thick needle and strong thread. Cheaper, b ...

industries, according to him, are in danger. According to

Columbia University Press Columbia University Press is a university press based in New York City, and affiliated with Columbia University. It is currently directed by Jennifer Crewe (2014–present) and publishes titles in the humanities and sciences, including the fiel ...

, ''The Late Age of Print'' is somewhat an antidote for the statements that say the end of the book is near. Ted Striphas goes deep into the book culture and shows the definition and the meaning of books beyond reading, printing and archiving.

Awards

Winner of Outstanding Book Award from

National Communication Association The National Communication Association (NCA) is a not-for-profit association of academics in the field of communication. Organization NCA is governed by the Legislative Assembly, which meets during the NCA Annual Convention. Between annual me ...

's Critical Cultural Studies Division.

Review

Striphas' impassioned appeal to have us rethink how we see originals and copies in an age of transnational cultural appropriation and transfiguration is a welcome finale to the book" "This collection of historical and commercial analysis should fascinate those seriously involved with book culture and/or the industry." — ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

'' "This book is a gold mine of information and thought about book culture in the 20th and 21st centuries." — Gwen M. Gregory, ''

Information Today Information Today, Inc., is an American publishing company. It publishes Internet and technology magazines, newsletters, books, directories and online products. Information Today was previously known as Learned Information, Inc. Learned Informat ...

'' "It is rare to say of a university press hardcover that it is a "must-read," but for those interested in the confluence of culture and economics as it relates to books, that is what The Late Age of Print is." — Richard Nash, ''Critical Flame'' "I should warn you that the book’s a bit academic. Striphas teaches American Studies and Cultural Studies at Indiana University and he quotes

Heidegger Martin Heidegger (; ; 26 September 188926 May 1976) was a German philosopher who is best known for contributions to phenomenology, hermeneutics, and existentialism. He is among the most important and influential philosophers of the 20th centur ...

and

Marx Karl Heinrich Marx (; 5 May 1818 – 14 March 1883) was a German philosopher, economist, historian, sociologist, political theorist, journalist, critic of political economy, and socialist revolutionary. His best-known titles are the 1848 p ...

within the first few pages. He also has an annoying habit of telling you what he’s going to write about rather than just writing it (as well as summarizing everything at the end). These are academic protocols, I realize, but you have to expect your readers to be smart enough to get it the first round."

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Late Age of Print, The 2009 non-fiction books American non-fiction books Books about publishing