This book investigates the complex landscape of book production and publishing in Britain during a pivotal century of change. It examines the transition from manuscript culture to the early stages of print, exploring the roles of scribes, illuminators, stationers, and early printers, as well as the economic and social factors that shaped the dissemination of texts. The work analyzes the materials, methods, and markets that defined the creation and distribution of books in England between 1375 and 1475.

Jeremy Griffiths's study is recognized as a significant contribution to the field of medieval book history. It is noted for its detailed examination of the transition from manuscript to print in Britain. The work is valued for its rigorous scholarship and its comprehensive scope in analyzing the economic and social contexts of book production during the specified period.