This book investigates the complex interplay between oral traditions, the introduction of literacy, and the subsequent impact of print culture on early New Zealand society. Donald Francis McKenzie, a renowned scholar of the history of the book, draws upon extensive archival research and a deep understanding of cultural transmission to analyze how these forces shaped communication, power structures, and the very identity of the nation. The work examines the transition from predominantly oral forms of knowledge sharing to the increasing dominance of written and printed materials, exploring the social, political, and cultural ramifications of this shift.

Donald Francis McKenzie's work is widely recognized for its rigorous scholarship and its foundational contribution to the history of the book, particularly in colonial contexts. Scholars have praised its detailed examination of the transition from oral to print cultures and its nuanced understanding of the social and political implications of this shift. The book is considered essential reading for those studying New Zealand history, the sociology of knowledge, and the broader field of print culture studies. Its analysis of power dynamics and cultural change remains highly relevant.