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The Library

A Fragile History
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( 1,878 ratings, 379 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Library by Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen delves into the history of libraries and their crucial role in human society. It explores how these institutions have been pivotal in preserving knowledge, shaping cultures, and fostering intellectual growth throughout centuries. This book provides a fascinating journey through the evolution of libraries, highlighting their enduring significance in the philosophical and psychological landscape.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the history of libraries and their influence on culture and society. It offers an intriguing exploration of how libraries have evolved, impacting the accessibility of knowledge and shaping intellectual life across centuries. Perfect for those interested in the philosophical and psychological aspects of knowledge preservation and dissemination.

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

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

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A sweeping, absorbing history, deeply researched, of that extraordinary and enduring phenomenon: the library - Richard Ovenden, author of Burning the Books: A History of Knowledge under Attack

Famed 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.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Library by Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen has been praised for its comprehensive history of libraries, spanning from ancient times to the modern digital era. Reviewers celebrate it as a meticulously researched work that serves as a delightful tribute to bibliophiles and showcases the adaptability and creativity of libraries. With its optimistic tone and engaging narrative, it is recommended as a poignant reminder of the boundless value of books and libraries.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781788163439

Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 September 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Profile Books Ltd

Edition: Main

Illustration: 16pp colour plates + b/w inset

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 34.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 440g

Pages: 528

About the Author

Andrew Pettegree is Professor of Modern History at the University of St Andrews and one of the leading experts on Europe during the Reformation. He is the author of the prize-winning Book in the Renaissance and The Invention of News, among other publications. He is a former Vice-President of the Royal Historical Society and the founding director of the Universal Short Title Catalogue.

Arthur der Weduwen is a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow and Deputy Director of the Universal Short Title Catalogue project at St Andrews. He is the author of several books on the history of newspapers, advertising and publishing. He owns a small library of seventeenth and eighteenth-century books, which, as the research for The Library has shown, is probably doomed to be dispersed.

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