This volume explores the evolution of the technique, composition and colouration of the woodcut beginning with the earliest publications. It features examples from Germany, Italy, France, Spain and The Netherlands.

"Illuminated manuscripts are perhaps the most beautiful treasures to survive from the middle ages. This authoritative volume provides a comprehensive introduction to the medieval world of books, their production and their consumption. The text divides this world into different groups of readers and writers: missionaries, emperors, monks, students, aristocrats, priests, collectors and the general public. De Hamel is both informative and immensely readable, and the sumptuous illustrations render this book too good to be missed."--From Amazon.com

V. 1-3 include "Bibliographies of modern authors by Henry Danielson."