“ltpgtltstronggtPraise for ltemgtThe Notebook A History of Thinking on PaperltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtThe book is a revealing document of a relationship so intimate as to be sacred that of the writer and the page Its a reminder that notetaking is an act of noticing of being present and showing up to the blank paper again and again and discovering what may arise thereltpgtltpgtltstronggtWilson Wong ltemgtNew York TimesltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtThe British publishers ode to notebooks is a delight for all those who love paper For those who dont its still a worthy and enlightening read since as Allen explains the notebook is a technology that has had tangible effects on the world around usltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtGlobe and Mailltemgt The Globe 100ltstronggtltpgtltpgtAllen does not disappoint The book tells the fascinating stories of notebooks from the very first notebook to the contemporary Bullet Journal Method which helps users track and organize tasks EyeopeningltpgtltpgtltstronggtJulie Rak ltemgtGlobe and MailltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtAllens narrative moves fluidly as he recounts the evolution of the notebooks usetouching on medieval trading routes and contemporary artist studiosand explores its role in both mundane tasks and worldchanging innovationsltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtNew YorkerltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtBold and thrilling informative and uplifting ltemgtThe Notebookltemgt may leave you feeling that you should chuck away your smartphone pick up a nice clean journal and start jottingltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtWall Street JournalltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtLike the many examples it covers Allens history of the notebook both instructs and entertainsltpgtltpgtltstronggtMichael Dirda ltemgtWashington PostltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtRanging from thirteenthcentury Florence to twentyfirstcentury Florida Allens account is a delightful mix of material and intellectual historyltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtThe New CriterionltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtAs an intimate repository for thought notebooks Allen amply shows are essential An enthusiastic informative cultural historyltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtKirkus Reviewsltemgt starred reviewltstronggtltpgtltpgtI LOVED this book We dont really think of notebooks and journals as a piece of technology but of course they arethere were dark days before such wonderful things existedltpgtltpgtltstronggtRyan Holiday ltemgtDaily StoicltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtMoving and inspiring You should pick up this book if you have any interest in notetaking knowledge management creativity productivity thinking the human mind or history because the notebook has been and continues to be integral to all of those to a degree I didnt truly appreciate until I read it myselfltpgtltpgtltstronggtTiago Forte author of ltemgtThe PARA Method and Building a Second BrainltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtAllens history of thinking on paper is a compelling exploration of human evolution itself Its a timely reminder of what technology can be a way to bring us closer to each other and ourselvesltpgtltpgtltstronggtRyder Carroll Bullet Journal founder and author of ltemgtThe Bullet Journal MethodltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtRemarkable Allen points to evidence that maintaining a notebook with pen and paper is best for processing and retaining information It can stave off depression and act as ballast to those struggling with ADHD It is tactile a form of embodied cognition another example of the superiority of slowness paying attention caring handwriting this is loveltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtGuardian ltemgtBook of the DayltstronggtltpgtltpgtA restless arresting new history of the notebook packed with a wonderful range of insights and anecdotes Allen has written a fine book on a fabulous subjectltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtDaily TelegraphltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtThe fascinating stories ltemgtThe Notebookltemgt tells certainly make you want to take out a pen and jot down a few points Allen considers the notebook in its various forms from the wax tablet to the electronic spreadsheet and from early modernity to the present day his writing has the lightness of touch needed to turn the dry pages of notebooks into living historical documentsltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtSpectator ltemgtBooks of the YearltstronggtltpgtltpgtIm something of a notebook addict Now I know Im not alone as Roland Allen makes clear in his fascinating study of notebooks through history Moleskine users will love this wideranging history of an everyday object it is beautifully written and a complete delight to dip in to or read from cover to cover A lovely bookltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtNew Statesmanltemgt Books of the YearltstronggtltpgtltpgtAllen is a relaxed and amusing guide although he professes to be concerned mainly with notebooks practical applications he is a philosopher by stealth keen to make the reader question where the mind stops and the rest of the world beginsltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtTLSltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtSurprisingly revealingltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtThe TimesltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtThinking about notebooks caused Roland Allen to wonder about their connection to creativity culture and industry what they could tell us about their owners why keeping a diary brought contentment and why the longhand form has survived the digital A different fascinating entertaining witty approach to writing cultural historyltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtThe Irish TimesltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtAllen takes us on an upbeat and stimulating journey a celebration of intimacy in various guisesltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtSydney Morning HeraldltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtNotebooks have long provided a place for us to record our activities and creativities So shows this enthralling cultural history which shows how the act of noting things down has shaped the world for centuriesltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtThe BooksellerltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtAllens history also demonstrates how essential the human act of recording observations is A delight to read ltemgtThe Notebookltemgt is a reminder of our most vital toolltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtThe IdlerltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtFluently and engagingly writtenltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtThe Art NewspaperltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtA book to savourltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtCountry Lifeltemgtltstronggtltpgt”