Originally published in two volumes in 1980; The Printing Press as an Agent of Change is now issued in a paperback edition containing both volumes. The work is a full-scale historical treatment of the advent of printing and its importance as an agent of change. Professor Eisenstein begins by examining the general implications of the shift from script to print; and goes on to examine its part in three of the major movements of early modern times - the Renaissance; the Reformation; and the rise of modern science.
#376551 in eBooks 2013-12-03 2013-12-03File Name: B00E3D114O
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. A Time to DanceBy Elizabeth E. BrintonCherie has had more than her fair share of pain and loss. But dont let that keep you away from this memoir of a life well lived and loved. Even in the worst of times her words evoke a kind of frank acceptance; and an unbeatable love and fight for life.Dance; and eventually; Argentine tango is a running theme; slowly and in parts working its way into Cheries soul and saving her. All through the story you see it coming; in little bits of different dance classes; even exercise classes. You feel the healing power of dance in Cheries life.The loss of her husband; a series of disasters; the loss of her home and her community; and cancer all bring Cherie to the brink. But through her words you always find her inner light. She writes tenderly of her lost home; and you will see it; and you will see her moving on; as all survivors must. She writes about the smells; sounds; feelings of each place she lands. She tells of her lovers; and the places; the rooms where these lovers meet. You know that with her senses she is feeling her way through the darkness; towards her place; towards love; towards life.There have been many books written about the grand adventures of privileged white ladies running around the globe to get over divorce. Those books read as cheap fantasy. This is not one of those books.Cherie found herself in dance; and found love; and now we can read her moving story and go there with her; to that place of tango and survival. But what is most important is how Cherie truly feels her life; and now she is able to share it with us. This is a book with soul.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This book is about more than TANGO!By Sara MahlinI love this book! Irsquo;m so glad I stumbled across it. What drew me to it originally was its title. As a tango dancer myself; I am fascinated by memoirs of other tango dancers. But what I discovered in this book was much more ndash; itrsquo;s really the saga of one womanrsquo;s struggle with adversity. It begins after the early death of this womanrsquo;s husband who is suddenly thrust out on her own. Rather than cave into incipient feelings of depression and loneliness; she goes off to France. Her discussion of her life in Paris is particularly captivating; especially since Irsquo;m a Francophile and her descriptions ring so true to my experience. Itrsquo;s really not until quite late in the memoir that she discovers tango. But since her journey is so intriguing; I didnrsquo;t mind the delay in getting to the tango part. Before tango enters her life; she travels to other places and settles into Mexico before winding up in Buenos Aires.The force of Cherie Magnusrsquo; character and her spirit are what really carry this memoir. While she is very real; she is also admirable. She seems fearless. Or rather; she skirts around her fears. The memoir makes me think of one of my favorite sayings. There are two kinds of people in this world: 1)those who are afraid and 2) those who are afraid and do it anyway. Cherie belongs clearly in the latter group. She has more than her share of set-backs. Yet she deals with them with grace; humor ndash; and most of all; insight. I found this book very illuminating and inspiring. It is also so well-written that it was a real page-turner.I did not know Cherie when I read this book. But I was so charmed by her story that I contacted her because I wanted to meet her (I learned via Facebook that she lives now in LA). When we met; she gave me a copy of her latest book Arabesque; which I now look forward to reading. I recommend both books very highly.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Heartfelt Tale of Perseverance and SuccessBy NancyIt rare to find people in this world who maintain an unbridled enthusiasm for life even in the midst of exquisite pain. But Cherie Magnus is one of them. As recounted in The Church of Tango; Cherie suffered a series of pains and losses that were not of her own doing; and as each of them diminished her resources and limited her options; she collected her wits and her dwindling funds and reached out again to find the best in life.Cherie was joyously married for over 20 years to a man who loved her. They lived and raised their two sons in a home that was the perfect place for them. She worked as a librarian; played the piano and danced. She and Jack were friends and lovers. It was a picture-book story. Then; just when the boys were grown and Cherie and Jack were looking forward to traveling more and spending time at their vacation home in France; Jack was diagnosed with cancer. Three traumatic years later; in 1992; Cherie found herself a 48-year-old widow. Over the next dozen years; as she tried to rebuild her life; she suffered betrayals by friends and business associates that cost her both her beloved home in Los Angeles and the vacation place in France. Her mother sank deeper into Alzheimers and ultimately died. Her sons drifted in and out of contact; and she herself came down with cancer; twice. Add to the mix; a few really self-absorbed and manipulating lovers. For most of us; this would be more than enough to suck all the joy out of life; but Cherie battles depression and perseveres.The Church of Tango takes us with her as she moves first to France; then back to Los Angeles; to Mexico and ultimately to Buenos Aires where she establishes herself as a respected member of in the tango community and finds new love. Covering so much territory; the book is sometimes a bit thin on details. People appear and disappear with little set up. Perhaps this is a form of protection--which some of them need -- as fewer details make them less identifiable. But what matters is what we do learn from Cherie; which is that no matter what your situation is or where you are; there is always a way out. There is always another option. Anyone who feels that their life is shattered and they will never be happy again; should take heart from reading this book. You probably cant get back to where you were; but you can get to someplace else. Where there is a will there is a way.