The Cultural Uses of Print in Early Modern France

Exploring the transformative role of printing in the ancien regime, this collection of essays reveals how texts and images shaped the lives of various social classes. Roger Chartier highlights the awareness of church and state authorities regarding the influence of printed materials on behavior and thought. He examines social control mechanisms through guides on morality and civility, while also discussing the evolution of public celebrations, the 1789 cahiers de doléances, and the early paperback genre, providing insight into reading habits and publishing influences of the time.