Books on the history of cinema usually deal with the history of this medium starting from its origins, therefore with the first silent films of the last century. However it is a very broad topic that many aspects of cinema can be explored, from technology to the impact of films on society and culture. They can also delve into the role of censorship and regulation in the film industry, the film industry, and the representation of gender, race, and other sensitive topics.
What are books on the history of cinema about?
The books listed are all related to the subject of cinema and can be divided into two main categories: general histories of cinema and more specific studies of cinema in particular countries or regions.
In the first category we find several books that offer broad overviews of the history of cinema. These books are often long and comprehensive, running to more than 500 pages, and are written by highly respected scholars in the field. They usually start from the early days of silent cinema and end up with the most recent developments in digital cinema. These books are likely to be of interest to film history students and anyone looking for a comprehensive introduction to the subject.
In the second category we find books that focus on cinema in specific countries or regions. These books tend to be a little shorter, between 200 and 500 pages, and are often written by film experts from those regions. They offer detailed insights into the particular histories and cultures of those cinemas and can appeal to anyone interested in the cinema of those areas. Naturally, one of the most represented regions on Amazon in Italian is Italy, but there are books on the history of cinema from other countries, such as Japan. These are perfect books for film students as well as for all film enthusiasts.
List of the best books on the history of cinema on Amazon
Here is the list of the 10 best books on the history of cinema that are on sale on Amazon:
FAQ on books on the history of cinema
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What is the best guide to the history of Italian cinema?
What is the best book on the history of Japanese cinema?
Summary table of the best books on the history of cinema
| Title | Author | Edition | Pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinema history textbook | Rondolino, Gianni; Tomasi, Dario | 2014 | 704 |
| Introduction to the history of cinema. Authors, films, currents | Bertetto, Paolo (edited by) | 2005 | 432 |
| The history of cinema | Cousins, Mark; Barbera, Alberto (Preface), Fassone, Riccardo (translator) | 2017 | 519 |
| Cinema history | DiGiammatteo, Fernaldo | 2019 | 586 |
| Guide to the history of Italian cinema (1905-2003) | Brunetta, Gian Piero | 2003 | 526 |
| Cinema history. An introduction | Thompson, Kristin; Bordwell, David; Smith, Jeff; Mosconi, Elena (edited by), Bruni, David (edited by) | 2022 | 653 |
| HISTORY OF CINEMA: A journey to discover cinema, starting from silent cinema to today’s incredible special effects. The secrets and innovations of the great masters of cinema | EDITIONS, FINE ARTS | – | 235 |
| History of Cinema: From the Origins to Today | Pasinetti, Francis | – | 320 |
| History of Japanese cinema | Novielli, M. Roberta | 2001 | 360 |
| 50 steps in the history of cinema | Boschi, Alberto (Preface) | 2019 | 144 |