The Gutenberg Galaxy Nova

Nina Burton

NONFICTION TITLE OF THE YEAR – WINNER OF THE 2016 AUGUST PRIZE

The fate of humanism told through the life of the 16th century literary star Erasmus of Rotterdam.

In the time of Gutenberg’s great printing innovation, and the birth of free media, Erasmus of Rotterdam showed us the importance of literature, and how it had a significant part to play in a time that strangely resembles or own.

He was the author behind as much as a fifth of the European books printed at the time, and he travelled extensively all over Europe throughout his career. He was the first bestselling author and Europe’s brightest shining literary star, the Gutenberg galaxy nova, and he left us all an important intellectual heritage. Erasmus dreamt of a Europe without borders, where culture and science would tie an unbreakable knot.

In bringing Erasmus back to life, Nina Burton not only entertains, transports and informs us, but she also shows us that some lessons should not be forgotten, and that literature will never lose its power to transform us and our world.

‘Dazzling’
BTJ

’Fascinating’
Borås Tidning

‘In our time… an essayist like Nina Burton is indispensable’
Svenska Dagbladet

‘[Burton has] unparalleled stylistic brio’
Aftonbladet