Professor Jack examines the prehistory of reading as well as the early attitudes to reading in the ancient world: http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/ancient-reading-in-an-historical-context

This lecture will explore the varying ways in which people have read across time. When the move to 'silent reading' - as opposed to reading out loud to oneself - took place is debated but the shift to the entirely private business of 'silent reading' is a crucial one. Did educated nuns or Byzantine princesses read differently from their male counterparts?

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website: http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/ancient-reading-in-an-historical-context

Gresham College has been giving free public lectures since 1597. This tradition continues today with all of our five or so public lectures a week being made available for free download from our website. There are currently over 1,500 lectures free to access or download from the website.
Website: http://www.gresham.ac.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GreshamCollege
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greshamcollege