On Native Ground: From the History of Printing to the History of the Book.

Examines the relationship between the history of printing and the history of the book. Isaiah Thomas launched the former in 1808, and at the same time drew attention to a prevailing dichotomy between the democratic and genteel view of American culture. By the 20th century, collectors had begun to focus on the quality of printing and craftsmanship, and subsequently on the history of American literature. A history of reading is thus crucial to the history of the book, for it is a central ingredient in American popular culture.