The "Palaeography of Roman Antiquity and the Western Middle Ages" by Bernhard Bischoff is a comprehensive standard work that has been published in its fourth edition. This book offers an in-depth introduction to the history of writing and literacy in Roman antiquity as well as the Middle Ages. It includes a selected bibliography that documents developments in palaeography from 1986 to 2008, and a section of illustrations that showcases examples of scripts. The work is designed both as a handbook and as a textbook, highlighting the cultural significance of manuscripts. Through the author's unique perspective, it becomes a significant contribution to the history of palaeography.