A Short History of the Printed Word, by Warren Chappell. Boston: Nonpareil Books. $9.95.

In the age of TV's instant news and pervasive entertainment, this book is a joy for readers who cherish well-designed, well-printed, and well-bound books. Chappell's comprehensive, systematic history will inform the layman and delight the professional, as it treats both the art and trade of printing.