Dennis Duncan's Index: A History

Overview

Typically, we overlook the back section of a book, viewing it merely as a reference point. However, this often ignored part contains a fascinating history of ambition, political maneuvering, enjoyment, and creativity. Within its pages, we can encounter various characters—such as Butchers to avoid and Cows that sh-te fire—and even glimpse Calvin in his chamber with a Nonne. This unveils the hidden world of the index: an overlooked yet powerful tool with a rich history.

The Journey of the Index

Tracing its unique journey from thirteenth-century European monasteries to modern-day Silicon Valley, Dennis Duncan illustrates how the index has played a pivotal role in shaping our literary landscape. It has shielded heretics, influenced political careers, and contributed to the cultural fabric of society.

Through anecdotes from German print shops, Enlightenment coffee houses, the salons of novelists, and university laboratories, we encounter various historical figures—emperors, popes, philosophers, prime ministers, poets, librarians, and, naturally, indexers. Duncan reveals how integral the index has been to our intellectual culture for over eight centuries, reminding us that despite our concerns about the Age of Search, we are inherently drawn to seek information, much like index-rakers have always been.