Divided as follows, I How Writing Works: 1. Reading the Rosetta Stone, 2. Sound, Symbol & Script, 3. Proto-Writing, II Extinct Writing: 4. Cuneiform, 5. Egyptian Hieroglyphics, 6. Linear B, 7. Mayan Glyphs, 8. Undeciphered Texts, III The First Alphab 10. New Alphabets from Old, 11. Chinese Writing, 12. Japanese Writing, 13. From Hieroglyphics to Alphabet - and Back. Deals with the background of writing in languages world-wide and individuals who did research on their understanding. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.