In our digitised age of instant information it is easy to underestimate the power of the printed word. In his fascinating new book accompanying the ITV series, Melvyn Bragg presents a vivid reminder of the book as agent of social, political and personal revolution. 12 Books that Changed the World presents a rich variety of human endeavour and a great diversity of characters. There are also surprises. Here are famous book s by Darwin, Newton and Shakespeare ¡V but we also discover the stories behind some less well-known works, such as Mary Wollstonecraft¡¦s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman ¡V and even the rules to an obscure ball game that became the most popular sport in the world¡K
Definitive, always illuminating and sometimes controversial, the hidden story of these twelve books demonstrates the enduring impact of one of the world¡¦s great inventions ¡V the book.
