Networking Print in Shakespeare's England: Influence, Agency, and Revolutionary Change

Blaine Greteman's book explores early English print networks and the systemic changes that reshaped early modern literature, thought, and politics. By pairing network analysis with digital archives, Greteman aims to change the way we talk about authorship, publication, and print. He reveals that the network analysis of nearly 500,000 books printed in England before 1800 identifies a sudden tipping point where the print network became a small world where information could spread in new and powerful ways. The book provides new insights into canonical literary figures and uncovers the hidden histories of key figures in the transformation. It is a primer on the power of network analysis and a critical intervention in early modern studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 17 August 2021
Publisher: Stanford University Press

In Shakespeare's England, Blaine Greteman employs cutting-edge analytical techniques to investigate early English print networks and the profound transformations they wrought in early modern literature, thought, and politics. During the early modern period in England, printed books emerged as a revolutionary technology that forged unprecedented connections between individuals, encompassing not only readers and writers but also a growing community of printers, publishers, and booksellers. By integrating network analysis with the vast array of digital archives now accessible, Greteman seeks to revolutionize our understanding of authorship, publication, and print.

As Greteman's research reveals, the analysis of nearly 500,000 books printed in England before 1800 unveils a remarkable print revolution. This analysis identifies a pivotal moment when the early modern print network transformed into a small world, enabling the rapid dissemination of information in powerful ways. In addition to shedding new light on canonical literary figures such as Milton and Shakespeare, data analysis also uncovers the untold histories of key figures who have been largely overlooked in the scholarly discourse. This book serves as both a primer on the transformative power of network analysis and a critical intervention in the study of early modern history. It ultimately constitutes an extended meditation on agency and the intricate dynamics of action within complex contexts.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 228 x 152 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503627987