About this book
The hunt for the Doctrina Christiana spans four centuries, crossing continents from Manila to Berlin and stretching from Italy to Chile in one of history's most fascinating bibliographic mysteries. This groundbreaking religious and historical audiobook examines the first book ever printed in the Philippines—a remarkable achievement from 1593 that vanished from scholarly view for generations. Like a detective story unfolding through archives and careful research, the narrative traces how scholars, bibliographers, and collectors painstakingly pursued fragments of evidence, formed hypotheses, and ultimately located this unique treasure. The investigation reveals how this essential Christian catechism shaped religious education in the Spanish Philippines and became a cornerstone of early colonial printing history. Through meticulous analysis and compelling storytelling, listeners discover the manuscript's journey through time, the false leads that confused earlier researchers, and the definitive identification of surviving copies. This facsimile edition, preserved in the Library of Congress, represents an extraordinary achievement in Philippine cultural heritage and the history of the printed word. Perfect for history enthusiasts, religious scholars, bibliophiles, and anyone fascinated by lost books and their remarkable recoveries, the Doctrina Christiana offers a window into sixteenth-century colonial life and the power of the printing press to shape entire civilizations.
