"The Early Alphabet" by John F. Healey
This little book is part of a series entitled "Reading the Past."
Each of the books in the series is relatively short, typically less than
100 pages, but is chock full of fascinating information about ancient languages,
scripts and inscriptions. The series includes such titles as: "Cuneiform,"
"Egyptian Hieroglyphs," "Etruscan," "Greek Inscriptions,"
"Linear B," and "Runes."
This volume deals with the development of the alphabet from earlier forms
of pictographic writing. Its author, John F. Healey is Lecturer in Semitic
Studies at the University of Manchester. In addition to a clear, readable
text, the book is full of photographs and sketches of ancient inscriptions
showing the styles of writing discussed in the accompanying text. Bible
students will find the extensive discussion of the development and evolution
of the Hebrew alphabet helpful. Especially interesting are the tables showing
early Greek scripts and comparing Phoenician, Hebrew and Aramaic scripts.
Available for slightly more than $10, this book is a treasure.
"The Early Alphabet" by John F. Healey
University of California Press
©1990 by The Trustees of the British Museum
ISBN 0-520-07309-6 (paperback)
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