The Library: A Fragile HistoryThe Library: A Fragile History Princes, collectors, bookworms and thieves: the extraordinary story of the library, from Alexandria to the age of Google LONGLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION NON FICTION CROWNA SUNDAY TIMES NON FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR'Timely a long and engrossing survey of the library' FT'A sweeping, absorbing history, deeply researched' Richard Ovenden, author of Burning the BooksFamed across the known world, jealously

The Library: A Fragile History

Princes, collectors, bookworms and thieves: the extraordinary story of the library, from Alexandria to the age of Google

LONGLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION NON-FICTION CROWNA SUNDAY TIMES NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR'Timely ... a long and engrossing survey of the library' FT'A sweeping, absorbing history, deeply researched' Richard Ovenden, author of Burning the BooksFamed across the known world, jealously guarded by private collectors, built up over centuries, destroyed in a single day, ornamented with gold leaf and frescoes or filled with bean bags and children's drawings - the history of the library is rich, varied and stuffed full of incident.In this, the first major history of its kind, Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen explore the contested and dramatic history of the library, from the famous collections of the ancient world to the embattled public resources we cherish today. Along the way, they introduce us to the antiquarians and philanthropists who shaped the world's great collections, trace the rise and fall of fashions and tastes, and reveal the high crimes and misdemeanours committed in pursuit of rare and valuable manuscripts.

'[In] this superb history, filled with fascinating details that will delight every bibliophile, the authors tell the rich and varied history of libraries, from those that aspire to collect the sum of human knowledge to modest but valued personal collections' - Guardian

'Outstanding ... a history of libraries from the ancient world to yesterday, it is fetchingly produced and scrupulously researched - a perfect gift for bibliophiles everywhere' - The Sunday Times

'This history of the library, from the Assyrians to the digital age, is itself a wonderful collection of knowledge ... a book full of fascination and ultimately one of optimism, too' - New Statesman

'This sweeping bookish history has something for everyone ... it is a glorious reminder that books are borderless and boundless and libraries priceless, in all senses' - The Times

'Excellent ... rigorous but riveting history' - Spectator

'Timely ... a long and engrossing survey of the library that shows how adaptable and creative libraries have been over time' - FT

'Despite [a] staggering range, the authors manage never to seem in a rush, or to skimp on incidental detail ... holding it all together is a keen eye for stories of individual lives that are representative of something larger ... [a] sweeping history' - Times Literary Supplement

'A sweeping, absorbing history, deeply researched, of that extraordinary and enduring phenomenon: the library' - Burning the Books: A History of Knowledge Under Attack

'What is a 'library'? Is it a mute display of personal wealth and power, or of a humble devotion to God? A routine community resource, or a waste of taxpayers' money? In The Library, we are led nimbly through the centuries, seeing how it has been all of these things and more, as the authors place on the shelf a cornucopia of bookish history.' - A Place for Everything: The Curious History of Alphabetical Order

'Comprehensive without being miscellaneous, lively without being anecdotal, this sweeping history of libraries shows how central this institution has been to every aspect of human culture. At a time when libraries and librarians are proving themselves to be more important and more resilient than ever before, this whirlwind tour of the different forms that libraries have taken at different times and places will educate and inspire in equal measure.' - What We Talk About When We Talk About Books

'Magnificently researched and compendious' - Tablet

'Enthralling ... fittingly, The Library is a handsomely presented and reasonably priced book, with plenty of informative colour plates. The authors' erudition, reflected in a huge bibliography, is carried lightly, and their story is told with wit and wisdom ... A hair-raising journey through the long history of libraries' - Church Times

'Libraries have had a long and varied history ... This globetrotting book charts their stories' - BBC History Revealed

SPECIFICATIONS:

Author:Andrew Pettegri, Arthur Der Vedinveven - Эндрю Петтегри, Артур дер Ведувен

Publisher:Profile Books

Language:English

Publication Date:2022

Number of pages:528 pst

Format:Paperback

Width:126 mm / 5'

Height:198 mm / 7,8'

Weight:440 g

ISBN:9781788163439