History Of Graphic Design

The fourth edition of A History Of Graphic Design has been published in the US (and in the UK later this year). The previous editions were all written by Philip B Meggs, though following his death this new edition (retitled Meggs' History Of Graphic Design) has been revised and updated by Alston W Purvis.

There are very few books on graphic design history (literally only a handful), and Meggs's book has always been regarded as the most comprehensive on the subject, tracing graphic art from prehistory to the present day. It's not only the definitive history of graphic design, it's one of the essential books on the history of art.