BobRingReflections

One of Pat’s and my favorite spots to visit in Arizona is the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  In fact, we just returned from a short stay there.  The North Rim is much less crowded than the South Rim and the canyon views are just as spectacular.  On our several road trips from Tucson to the North Rim, we have passed Lees Ferry on the Colorado River.  On this last trip, we stopped at the site and learned a little more about its fascinating history.  So, this blog covers the complete history of Lees Ferry - a combination of what we learned on the trip, and research after returning to our home in Tucson. After a short introduction, I will cover the geography and geology of the area, its first indigenous inhabitants, and the first visit by Europeans.  Next, I will discuss how Mormons from Utah, emigrating from the north to Arizona, used ferryboats to cross the Colorado River barrier.  Next, I will discuss the building of two bridges across the Colorado...

I’ve had the history of publishing on my list of possible blog topics for a long time.  Previously I’ve written about the history of libraries, the printing press, and human communication - all of which touch on aspects of publishing but don’t tell the whole story.  So, the time has come; this blog will cover the history of book publishing.  I will leave the history of newspaper and magazine publishing for another day. After a short introduction, I will discuss the history of book publishing through five cultural eras:   Ancient Times :  invention of writing, from clay tablets to papyrus scrolls Classical Antiquity :  the first true alphabet, the first codex books on vellum and parchment        Middle Ages : influence of the church and universities, handwritten illuminated manuscripts, first use of paper, first books for ordinary people, and China’s printing precursors Age of Printing :  invention of the printing press, m...