The Idea Machine

"As an avid book lover, I feel like this is the book about books I've been waiting for my whole life—and didn't even know it. The Idea Machine is history, literary criticism, philosophy, and bibliophilia all in one—one fascinating, illuminating, and delightful read." —Karen Swallow Prior, author of On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life in Great Books

~Karen Swallow Prior, author of On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life in Great Books, "As an avid book lover, I feel like this is the book about books I've been waiting for my whole life—and didn't even know it. The Idea Machine is history, litera

As an avid book lover, I feel like this is the book about books I've been waiting for my whole life—and didn't even know it. The Idea Machine is history, literary criticism, philosophy, and bibliophilia all in one—one fascinating, illuminating, and delightful read. 

~William J. Bennett, New York Times bestselling author, former U.S. Secretary of Education, "Joel J. Miller shows that books are more than containers of ideas and vessels for words—they are engines of civilization and moral formation. The Idea Machine

"From the invention of books to the beginnings of AI, Joel Miller has turned the story of books into a truly informative and fun read." —Armand D'Angour, Professor of Classics, Oxford University

~Armand D'Angour, Professor of Classics, Oxford University, "From the invention of books to the beginnings of AI, Joel Miller has turned the story of books into a truly informative and fun read."

"A love letter and a revelation about the power of books. Compelling and fascinating history written as an adventure story with the book as hero!" —Gregg Hecimovich, prize-winning historian, author of The Life and Times of Hannah Crafts

~Gregg Hecimovich, prize-winning historian, author of The Life and Times of Hannah Crafts, "A love letter and a revelation about the power of books. Compelling and fascinating history written as an adventure story with the book as hero!"

"A captivating journey through the history of books, libraries, and the written word, and a tribute to the book as one of humanity's most enduring inventions. This is a celebration of how long-form writing and reading has shaped us—and a warning against leaving it behind." —Martin Puchner, professor of English and Comparative Literature, Harvard University

~Martin Puchner, professor of English and Comparative Literature, Harvard University, "A captivating journey through the history of books, libraries, and the written word, and a tribute to the book as one of humanity's most enduring inventions. This is

"A compelling and meticulously researched exploration. Miller argues that books are dynamic 'idea machines' that have upgraded our cognitive abilities, shaped societal structures, and powered cultural evolution. In the AI era, understanding this history is necessary and urgent." —Hollis Robbins, professor of English, University of Utah

~Hollis Robbins, professor of English, University of Utah, "A compelling and meticulously researched exploration. Miller argues that books are dynamic 'idea machines' that have upgraded our cognitive abilities, shaped societal structures, and powere

"With a scope that extends from ancient times to the present, The Idea Machine is a rich, compelling and important investigation of the book as a technology and an instrument of humanism. Miller's conclusions, including on the importance of books and the futility of banning them, are acutely relevant to today." —Stuart Kells, prize-winning historian, author of The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders and Shakespeare's Library

~Stuart Kells, prize-winning historian, author of The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders and Shakespeare's Library, "With a scope that extends from ancient times to the present, The Idea Machine is a rich, compelling and important investigation of the b