Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Vintage (1999), Edition: illustrated edition, Paperback, 304 pages
Description
He has been called "the poet laureate of technology" and a writer who is "erudite, witty, thoughtful, and accessible." Now Henry Petroski turns to the subject of books and bookshelves, and wonders whether it was inevitable that books would come to be arranged vertically as they are today on horizontal shelves. As we learn how the ancient scroll became the codex became the volume we are used to, we explore the ways in which the housing of books evolved. Petroski takes us into the pre-Gutenberg world, where books were so scarce they were chained to lecterns for security. He explains how the printing press not only changes the way books were made and shelved, but also increased their availability and transformed book readers into books owners and collectors. He shows us that for a time books were shelved with their spinesin, and it was not until after the arrival of the modern bookcase that she spines facedout. In delightful digressions, Petroski lets Seneca have his say on "the evils of book collecting"; examines the famed collection of Samuel Pepys (only three thousand titles: old discarded to make room for new); and discusses bookselling, book buying, and book collecting through the centuries. Richly illustrated and wonderfully written, this is the ultimate book on the book: how it came to be and how we have come to keep it.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member thorold
A pleasant surprise: "popular histories," especially when they deal with relatively specialised subjects, are often inane in subject-matter and pedestrian in style, but this one is intelligent, scholarly, and generally pretty readable. Of course, Petroski, with his historian's hat on, covers a lot
Unlike many texts of this kind, he's careful not to generalise too much from his examples, and there are proper references and a bibliography, so you can follow up anything that looks particularly interesting. You will need to do some reference-chasing if you want to reproduce any of the book-storage systems he describes in your own library, as his editors evidently wouldn't let him put in any detailed scale plans or anything more than the most general dimensions. Probably just as well: I doubt if I could really fit Trinity College library into my living room...
As several others have pointed out, Petroski does have a tendency to repeat himself and to regale us with dullish anecdotes about his own adventures in libraries, but unless you read the whole thing through at a sitting, these foibles of age aren't really going to spoil your enjoyment of the book. Probably something to borrow rather than buy, but well worth dipping into.
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of material that we as book-lovers are already likely to be familiar with, but he's still enough of an engineer to pose interesting, practical questions and make us look at the things we thought we knew in a new light. Unlike many texts of this kind, he's careful not to generalise too much from his examples, and there are proper references and a bibliography, so you can follow up anything that looks particularly interesting. You will need to do some reference-chasing if you want to reproduce any of the book-storage systems he describes in your own library, as his editors evidently wouldn't let him put in any detailed scale plans or anything more than the most general dimensions. Probably just as well: I doubt if I could really fit Trinity College library into my living room...
As several others have pointed out, Petroski does have a tendency to repeat himself and to regale us with dullish anecdotes about his own adventures in libraries, but unless you read the whole thing through at a sitting, these foibles of age aren't really going to spoil your enjoyment of the book. Probably something to borrow rather than buy, but well worth dipping into.
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LibraryThing member jmvilches
I enjoyed this meticulously researched history of the physical design of books, bookshelves and libraries. Petroski follows the evolution of book storage from pigeonholes used to store scrolls to modern space-saving "moveable-aisle" stacks. In the process, he also covers the changes in the physical
Petroski includes interesting anecdotes and helpful illustrations to liven up this sometimes dry subject area. While not a gripping book, it definitely succeeds as a thoughtful study full of interesting nuggets of history. It's obvious that obsessive book lovers throughout the ages have put a lot of thought into storing their collections.
If you're not particularly interested in why books were once shelved spine in, or how library layouts have changed over the years, then this book will probably not hold your interest. Personally, I have fond and vivid memories of libraries, especially the one from my childhood. This book definitely has me looking at libraries in a whole new light - I'll never be able to walk into one again without studying the way it's laid out.
3 Stars
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design of books themselves and the ever-present challenges faced by libraries throughout the ages as more and more books appear on their shelves. An appendix covers a host of possible methods of organizing your personal book collection - this section is easily the most amusing part of the book.Petroski includes interesting anecdotes and helpful illustrations to liven up this sometimes dry subject area. While not a gripping book, it definitely succeeds as a thoughtful study full of interesting nuggets of history. It's obvious that obsessive book lovers throughout the ages have put a lot of thought into storing their collections.
If you're not particularly interested in why books were once shelved spine in, or how library layouts have changed over the years, then this book will probably not hold your interest. Personally, I have fond and vivid memories of libraries, especially the one from my childhood. This book definitely has me looking at libraries in a whole new light - I'll never be able to walk into one again without studying the way it's laid out.
3 Stars
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LibraryThing member rarelibrarian
No where near as boring as it could have been and quite a bit more humerous than expected. This book carries the reader through the history of the bookshelf (and how books were placed on them) from the very earliest form of the written word up to modern libraries. Libraries discussed include the
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ancient Library of Alexandria, the Library of Congress, the British Library and the New York Public Library. Includes many helpful illustrations from famous artisits and photographs to illustrate the point. A very learned, well-researched and elucidating tome on an object not normally considered by the daily user. An apt book for lovers of this site! Show Less
LibraryThing member DirtPriest
Interesting to an actual bibliophile, this traces the history of the humble bookshelf. However, it is a story that can only be told in tandem with the history of books as well. Petroski traces these paths starting with scrolls and medieval codices and their storage issues, through the chained
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libraries of the Middle Ages (with the spines inward), to modern library design. The chained libraries had a lectern at a convenient height to sit (or stand) and read the captive book. I particularly enjoyed the later section on library design, notably how modern libraries are reliant on artificial light, ignoring the sunlight coming through the few windows in most designs, which is completely contrary to older libraries which were arranged around the windows. In fact, a smart observer could often tell where exactly the library was in a big stone edifice by looking for the spot with the most windows. There is an appendix on organization systems which was interesting, but not interesting enough to reorganize my tidy sectional library. Not a bad book but certainly for a specialized audience, many of which are LTers. Petroski has also written a similar book on Pencils, which I must find. I like pencils the way most other people like cats or dogs. Show Less
LibraryThing member sinsofthedove
Interesting history, but I got sick of reading about how cool Petroski thinks his own experiences are.
LibraryThing member SylviaC
I like books and bookcases, and I'm interested in the evolution of everyday items, so I really liked this book. Anyone who doesn't share those interests would undoubtedly find it tedious. Petroski does get a bit repetitive at times, and I think it would have been a slog to read the whole thing at
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once. I noticed in the other reviews that several people objected to his personal anecdotes, but they were actually one of my favourite aspects of the book. The writing is easy to understand, with light touches of humour (and one excruciating pun). I particularly enjoyed the last chapter, "The Care of Books", which was really more about how people interact with their books and collections, and the appendix on ways of ordering the books on your shelves. Show Less
LibraryThing member kimgroome
Amazing background of books and bookshelves. Highly recommended for any bibliophile.
LibraryThing member lycomayflower
A fascinating history of the book and book furniture which begins by asking where bookshelves came from. Petroski's answer begins with the ancient Romans and explores how developments in one piece of technology (the book) influenced and necessitated developments in another (book furniture, or
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methods of book storage). Petroski's clear and enthusiastic writing made this a page-turner (with the possible exception of two chapters near the end in which the mechanics of bookshelves in the 20th century began to lose me a bit, possibly because they seem too familiar, especially compared to the uncanny workings of the older furniture), and I strongly recommend the book to anyone interested in the history of the book or the history of things. Show Less
LibraryThing member Autodafe
Contains useful technical information that I hope to use in building my own library one day.
LibraryThing member jztemple
Petroski's books tend to be defined by two characteristics. They are usually on very interesting subjects with tons of fascinating information and details. And they tend to become tedious at times when the tons of info and facts becomes a bit overwhelming. Thankfully in this book the latter
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occurrences are fairly far between, although the frequency of personal anecdotes might be off-putting to some readers. Overall it is a marvelous tome for book lovers and collectors. Others might find it somewhat too esoteric for their taste. Show Less
LibraryThing member SESchend
If you're interested in books and the history of their development, this is a very good book. In rereading this book, I've just been pulled back into the details and fascinating history behind the everpresent bookshelf.
I'll admit there's a few lag points in the middle where the author belabors his
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point overmuch, but there's also a lot of great material rarely discussed elsewhere. Show Less
LibraryThing member m.belljackson
Erudite and meticulously researched, The Book on the Bookshelf is also ungodly repetitive and so, often boring.
I read carefully through opening chapters, got captivated by St. Jerome, then read mostly captions of the many fascinating illustrations and
was surprised not to see John Muir's book
His search for "the perfect bookend" could end with my Grandmother Bell - she crocheted a beautiful rectangle around a brick.
I read carefully through opening chapters, got captivated by St. Jerome, then read mostly captions of the many fascinating illustrations and
was surprised not to see John Muir's book
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invention included.His search for "the perfect bookend" could end with my Grandmother Bell - she crocheted a beautiful rectangle around a brick.
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LibraryThing member Mapguy314
I especially liked the appendix "Order, Order", because I, and I am sure everyone else here, have encountered every one of the problems of ordering the books on the shelves. I think he omitted the de facto most popular method - wherever I can wedge it in.
LibraryThing member tuckerresearch
We tend not to think about things like the bookshelf. It's history and function. And the book on it. Weren't books always shelved the way they are now? Spine out, on a horizontal shelf next to others placed vertically?
Well, no. Petroski takes the reader on a an adventure through the reading history
Truly an intriguing romp for bibliophiles and historians. A must for anybody in library science. Well-cited, though with that new style of endnotes that makes me gag. A bib and index, along with an appendix on shelving systems. An endlessly diverting book.
Well, no. Petroski takes the reader on a an adventure through the reading history
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of the West, explaining the birth of books and what they were set upon. Numerous illustrations take us from the codex to the chained book to the printed book. From horizontal stacking to front cover out to spine in to spine out.Truly an intriguing romp for bibliophiles and historians. A must for anybody in library science. Well-cited, though with that new style of endnotes that makes me gag. A bib and index, along with an appendix on shelving systems. An endlessly diverting book.
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LibraryThing member trav
Petroski fascinates me. How can one man spend so much energy and concentration on so many singular topics.
This book focuses on the history of the bookshelf and bookcase. Who knew that for years all books were designed to lay flat on their backs and not standing up? Eventually someone said "hey
Petroski's research is amazing. This book contains tons of etches, sketches, patents, etc. of all kinds of things bookshelf related.
Though at times I found myself bored with it. But I think that was do to the exhaustive nature of this work.
Without a doubt, this is one for anyone interested in the history of books or printing.
But I'm not sure I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining read.
It's fascinating, but not entertaining.
This book focuses on the history of the bookshelf and bookcase. Who knew that for years all books were designed to lay flat on their backs and not standing up? Eventually someone said "hey
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there's a more effecient way..."Petroski's research is amazing. This book contains tons of etches, sketches, patents, etc. of all kinds of things bookshelf related.
Though at times I found myself bored with it. But I think that was do to the exhaustive nature of this work.
Without a doubt, this is one for anyone interested in the history of books or printing.
But I'm not sure I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining read.
It's fascinating, but not entertaining.
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LibraryThing member librken
A wonderful book about how we shelve books. By focusing on how people have stored and displayed books, we get a reflected view about how humanity has regarded books and reading.
LibraryThing member amecke
If you think that going digital changes the world of books, imagine how the shift from scroll to codex required all kinds of adaptations in how people read. Monks needed larges shelves near windows to write and read their hand-lettered, illustrated pages. Printing presses brought books -- and
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personal libraries -- into the most ordinary homes. Someone had to think about how to engineer the places in which we read printed books. We can only hope this wonderful writer (To Engineer is Human) will add future chapter on ebooks. Show Less
LibraryThing member VeritysVeranda
If I hadn't worked in a university library for 4 years, I might have found the book a bit more enjoyable; as such, I would not recommend this book to biblioholics, as you probably well versed in bibliohistory already.
LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
Only at Sierra Nevada College 4/24/15
LibraryThing member rmckeown
Quite a few years ago, I learned of a book about pencils. I thought it was silly, so I passed it by without a second thought—that is until now. The author of The Pencil has now written a book about bookshelves. Boring you say? I wondered about that, too, but from the first page I was trapped.
The Book on the Book Shelf is an interesting look at the evolution of book shelves from Alexandria all the way to modern libraries with all sorts of digital tools and equipment to keep track of, sort, and shelve tens of thousands of books. I must admit I was incredulous that such a book existed, or would be widely read, yet, I secretly yearned to find out what it is all about. This may not seem exciting, but the first page put me on a thrilling ride through history. I have said this before about trees, and I gleefully repeat myself, I will never again look at my bookshelves as mere furniture. As Petroski writes, “One evening, while reading in my study, I looked up from my book and saw my bookshelves in a new and different light. Instead of being just places on which to store books, the shelves themselves intrigued me as artifacts in their own right” (ix). This is the first sentence of the preface, and I immediately closed the book, and looked at my shelves. I realized each had a story to tell, and each held remembrances of all the decades we had spent together.
Petroski tells us “over 50,000 books are published each year in America alone” (5). I wish I didn’t know this fact. Now I will never catch up! Every time I visit friends or family, I find time to slip away and examine their shelves. I believe a lot can be learned by examining a library. One time, to my horror, I visited a “friend-of-a-friend’s house and could not find a single book—except for some cookbooks in the kitchen. I was stunned! How awful that must be to live without books. I believe it was Cicero who wrote, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” Petroski writes, “The bookshelf, like the book, has become an integral part of civilization as we know it, its presence in a home practically defining what it means to be civilized, educated, and refined. Indeed, the presence of bookshelves greatly influences our behavior” (4). I must admit I take on a reverential calm when I am among my books or merely walking down the hall.
Petroski has chapters on scrolls and manuscripts, printing and binding, and of course stories of the medieval monks bent over an illuminated manuscript. He explains how books became chained to the library tables. He also includes dozens of intriguing drawings of medieval scholars reading at desks with a variety of solutions to storing books in the background.
I think Henry Petroski has tapped a much ignored vein, which, once let loose, will start a renewed interest in bookshelves as much more than mere furniture. The Book on the Book Shelf belongs in every library along with Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Sears Subject Headings, and an O.E.D. 5 stars.
--Jim, 3/30/17
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Henry Petroski is the author of The Book on the Book Shelf. It turns out he also authored a staggeringly long paean to the humble pencil. Need I mention a copy of The Pencil arrived while I was writing this review? The Book on the Book Shelf is an interesting look at the evolution of book shelves from Alexandria all the way to modern libraries with all sorts of digital tools and equipment to keep track of, sort, and shelve tens of thousands of books. I must admit I was incredulous that such a book existed, or would be widely read, yet, I secretly yearned to find out what it is all about. This may not seem exciting, but the first page put me on a thrilling ride through history. I have said this before about trees, and I gleefully repeat myself, I will never again look at my bookshelves as mere furniture. As Petroski writes, “One evening, while reading in my study, I looked up from my book and saw my bookshelves in a new and different light. Instead of being just places on which to store books, the shelves themselves intrigued me as artifacts in their own right” (ix). This is the first sentence of the preface, and I immediately closed the book, and looked at my shelves. I realized each had a story to tell, and each held remembrances of all the decades we had spent together.
Petroski tells us “over 50,000 books are published each year in America alone” (5). I wish I didn’t know this fact. Now I will never catch up! Every time I visit friends or family, I find time to slip away and examine their shelves. I believe a lot can be learned by examining a library. One time, to my horror, I visited a “friend-of-a-friend’s house and could not find a single book—except for some cookbooks in the kitchen. I was stunned! How awful that must be to live without books. I believe it was Cicero who wrote, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” Petroski writes, “The bookshelf, like the book, has become an integral part of civilization as we know it, its presence in a home practically defining what it means to be civilized, educated, and refined. Indeed, the presence of bookshelves greatly influences our behavior” (4). I must admit I take on a reverential calm when I am among my books or merely walking down the hall.
Petroski has chapters on scrolls and manuscripts, printing and binding, and of course stories of the medieval monks bent over an illuminated manuscript. He explains how books became chained to the library tables. He also includes dozens of intriguing drawings of medieval scholars reading at desks with a variety of solutions to storing books in the background.
I think Henry Petroski has tapped a much ignored vein, which, once let loose, will start a renewed interest in bookshelves as much more than mere furniture. The Book on the Book Shelf belongs in every library along with Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Sears Subject Headings, and an O.E.D. 5 stars.
--Jim, 3/30/17
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LibraryThing member Demiguise
A book about the history and evolution of books and how they are stored. Only a true bookworm or someone who has way too much time on their hands would read this. It happens that I fall into that catagory.
The book explains how precious written scrolls, folios, and books have been throughout
I will never again take for granted the ease with which we are able to store books today after having read this.
The book explains how precious written scrolls, folios, and books have been throughout
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history. It also goes in depth about how shelves and storage needs to be constructed to support the weight of many volumes on a shelf. Sometimes it goes more in depth than I cared, but it is obvious that Petroski did his research.I will never again take for granted the ease with which we are able to store books today after having read this.
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LibraryThing member jcbrunner
Henry Petroski writes a unique style of books. He concentrates on everyday objects and presents them in new light. This volume is devoted to the co-development of the book and the bookshelf. As always, Petroski unwraps a plethora of information about books, libraries and their users (chiefly among
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them a gentleman named Petroski) - sometimes it gets a little tiresome (I needed three reading breaks and forced myself through some of the pages) but one never stops learning and wondering. What will future generations used to digital libraries think about our giant library stacks? Show Less
LibraryThing member varielle
The history and design of book storage will be most appealing to designers and engineers. It’s a little tedious for anyone else, though well researched. The sections concerning the history of various libraries and their creators/protectors was most appealing. Published in 1999, Petroski missed
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the mark a little concerning the future of e-books but he doggedly pursued his subject to the most minute detail. Show Less
LibraryThing member elenchus
I anticipated a guide to the evolution of the book, perhaps starting with the modern book and tracing back to its origins; or maybe the other way 'round, tracing precursors to the mass printed & mechanically bound book eventually led to the ebook. (TBOTB was published just after the ebook was
Petroski doesn't quite take either approach. What he does instead is more idiosyncratic and conversational than the methodical discussion I anticipated, though, and makes for an engaging read.
Petroski isn't as comprehensive nor as methodical as either approach I'd anticipated. He's quite meticulous, though, if idiosyncratic in what particular facets of book culture he chooses to follow up. This is what makes the book conversational, though. There's a wealth of detail in this book, and Petroski skillfully brings the reader along for it.
Petroski essentially is looking at the origin of the typical book on his shelf, not any Platonic conception of book. While I'm as interested in what I didn't get from his tour, as I am in what he discussed, I don't deny I thoroughly enjoyed the story he told. Essentially, he's whetted my interest in parchment scrolls and papyri, in the Eastern European or Mesopotamian history of books and publishing, as well as Chinese and African.
//
On Books
• earliest books handwritten and handbound; consequently, there is no standard edition
• as such, each book is extremely valuable (monasteries loaned them out for a year to be copied, but collections numbered in the dozens or perhaps scores)
• for centuries (?!) hand-written books were chained to a rod from the spine; thus the opposite edge of the text bock (facing out) is the "fore edge"
• printed books before modern era (1450 - 1550 CE) known as incunabula ("from the cradle"), anglicised as incunables or simply fifteeners
• automated binding machine not until mid 1600s
• unbound books gathered in quires or "signatures" (after letter at bottom aiding in assembly into volume)
• quire's top page blank to protect title page; when bound, it could be folded over fore edge to show title of book (bastard title, fly title, half-title)
• spacing between words was an advent of mechanical printing
• typically books bound by the buyer not the printer; many books would be bound together by the buyer (unofficial omnibuses)
• spines used to label book only late in evolution; first on flyleaf, covers
On Shelving
• books often shelved horizontally, the space saving & convenience of vertical shelving relevant only after books collections grew beyond a dozen or so
• common for book storage were chests, armaria, presses (with lids or doors); open shelves predominant only after unchained and upright (and then in rooms with secure doors)
• library practice asserts new books will begin to be difficult to shelve once a shelf reaches 84% capacity
• book lists in frames posted on end of bookshelf row
On Libraries
• carrels (common to academic and public libraries) originated in monastery cathedrals
• after collections outgrew armaria, lecterns arranged in rooms for reading (with chained books); first without shelves, later adding shelves below and then above lectern
• lectern arrangement provided more room, more light
• back-to-back lecterns eventually became stall system (in Britain: shelves perp to walls & windows btwn)
• on Continent, shelves backed against walls and high windows above shelves,
• later, library included gallery for double-height walls, with windows at ends of hall, or skylights / clerestories
• reading rooms separate from stacks
//
B&W diagrams and reproductions throughout
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introduced.) Whichever path he took, if Petroski's treatment was especially good, he would identify significant branchings or variants occurring along the way.Petroski doesn't quite take either approach. What he does instead is more idiosyncratic and conversational than the methodical discussion I anticipated, though, and makes for an engaging read.
Petroski isn't as comprehensive nor as methodical as either approach I'd anticipated. He's quite meticulous, though, if idiosyncratic in what particular facets of book culture he chooses to follow up. This is what makes the book conversational, though. There's a wealth of detail in this book, and Petroski skillfully brings the reader along for it.
Petroski essentially is looking at the origin of the typical book on his shelf, not any Platonic conception of book. While I'm as interested in what I didn't get from his tour, as I am in what he discussed, I don't deny I thoroughly enjoyed the story he told. Essentially, he's whetted my interest in parchment scrolls and papyri, in the Eastern European or Mesopotamian history of books and publishing, as well as Chinese and African.
//
On Books
• earliest books handwritten and handbound; consequently, there is no standard edition
• as such, each book is extremely valuable (monasteries loaned them out for a year to be copied, but collections numbered in the dozens or perhaps scores)
• for centuries (?!) hand-written books were chained to a rod from the spine; thus the opposite edge of the text bock (facing out) is the "fore edge"
• printed books before modern era (1450 - 1550 CE) known as incunabula ("from the cradle"), anglicised as incunables or simply fifteeners
• automated binding machine not until mid 1600s
• unbound books gathered in quires or "signatures" (after letter at bottom aiding in assembly into volume)
• quire's top page blank to protect title page; when bound, it could be folded over fore edge to show title of book (bastard title, fly title, half-title)
• spacing between words was an advent of mechanical printing
• typically books bound by the buyer not the printer; many books would be bound together by the buyer (unofficial omnibuses)
• spines used to label book only late in evolution; first on flyleaf, covers
On Shelving
• books often shelved horizontally, the space saving & convenience of vertical shelving relevant only after books collections grew beyond a dozen or so
• common for book storage were chests, armaria, presses (with lids or doors); open shelves predominant only after unchained and upright (and then in rooms with secure doors)
• library practice asserts new books will begin to be difficult to shelve once a shelf reaches 84% capacity
• book lists in frames posted on end of bookshelf row
On Libraries
• carrels (common to academic and public libraries) originated in monastery cathedrals
• after collections outgrew armaria, lecterns arranged in rooms for reading (with chained books); first without shelves, later adding shelves below and then above lectern
• lectern arrangement provided more room, more light
• back-to-back lecterns eventually became stall system (in Britain: shelves perp to walls & windows btwn)
• on Continent, shelves backed against walls and high windows above shelves,
• later, library included gallery for double-height walls, with windows at ends of hall, or skylights / clerestories
• reading rooms separate from stacks
//
B&W diagrams and reproductions throughout
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LibraryThing member classyhomemaker
I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did, but it seemed that for every one interesting bit, there were ten extreme yawners. I think it's possible for an author to give us tooo much information on a subject, and this author is guilty of just that. He gave so much detail on several subjects that
Still, there was quite a lot to think about! I still struggle with the idea that books were stored with the spine in for so many centuries. All the reasons for storing books any way but spine out are just so nonsensical to me. It's hard to believe the space-saving way took so long to catch on!
I thought the Ramelli wheel was genius and it would not be impractical to set a desk beside for scholarly use.
I also did not realize that books weren’t purchased bound in the 17th c. No wonder books were so valued and difficult for the average laborer to afford very many.
Some of the stories about the different ways elite people treated books were pretty disgusting (Humphrey Davy ripping out pages as he read, using books as placemats, etc.). Such a waste to treat books badly---I was always taught to be careful with my books and was grounded from them if I didn't.
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they quickly went from intriguing to very dull.Still, there was quite a lot to think about! I still struggle with the idea that books were stored with the spine in for so many centuries. All the reasons for storing books any way but spine out are just so nonsensical to me. It's hard to believe the space-saving way took so long to catch on!
I thought the Ramelli wheel was genius and it would not be impractical to set a desk beside for scholarly use.
I also did not realize that books weren’t purchased bound in the 17th c. No wonder books were so valued and difficult for the average laborer to afford very many.
Some of the stories about the different ways elite people treated books were pretty disgusting (Humphrey Davy ripping out pages as he read, using books as placemats, etc.). Such a waste to treat books badly---I was always taught to be careful with my books and was grounded from them if I didn't.
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Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1999-09-14
Physical description
304 p.; 7.98 inches
ISBN
0375706399 / 9780375706394
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