A really interesting book on how to collect books. A lot of emphasis on collecting modern first editions but much useful information here including onA really interesting book on how to collect books. A lot of emphasis on collecting modern first editions but much useful information here including on some notable collectors and their collections, all discussed in Basbanes's inimitable style. My only caveat is that as this was published in 2002 much of the information regarding book collecting and the Internet is now obsolete or very dated...more
Easily one of the best written and most interesting books I have ever read. Every page was absorbing. I would give it 10 out of 5 if I could. If you hEasily one of the best written and most interesting books I have ever read. Every page was absorbing. I would give it 10 out of 5 if I could. If you have any interest in paper or books, then read this. A tour-de-force on paper, books and publishing. One for the bibliophiles, and everyone else!...more
Very disappointing. Not up to the standard of his previous works. Had its interesting and illuminating moments but it felt like a hastily cobbled togeVery disappointing. Not up to the standard of his previous works. Had its interesting and illuminating moments but it felt like a hastily cobbled together overview rather than a detailed treatment. The final chapter on wisdom was especially banal and facile and studded with wokeism!...more
An entertaining and engaging book on owning and running a second hand bookshop in Melbourne. The author can be very funny at times, at other times lesAn entertaining and engaging book on owning and running a second hand bookshop in Melbourne. The author can be very funny at times, at other times less so...more
A wonderful and very readable, if somewhat concise, romp through the history of the book, book collecting and libraries. A must for anyone interested A wonderful and very readable, if somewhat concise, romp through the history of the book, book collecting and libraries. A must for anyone interested in libraries and their history...more
An entertaining look at the 2nd hand bookshop business and associated book and library topics, written in 2004 by a Melbourne 2nd hand bookshop owner.An entertaining look at the 2nd hand bookshop business and associated book and library topics, written in 2004 by a Melbourne 2nd hand bookshop owner. Enjoyable and interesting, even if some of his opinions did grate at times!...more
A fascinating glimpse into how classical texts have survived and the considerable challenges faced in working out which ones are most authentic or truA fascinating glimpse into how classical texts have survived and the considerable challenges faced in working out which ones are most authentic or true to the original through the use of textual criticism...more
An entertaining account of the stories behind some of the Shakespeare first folios regarding their history, provenance and occasional theft. PublishedAn entertaining account of the stories behind some of the Shakespeare first folios regarding their history, provenance and occasional theft. Published in 1623, I had the good fortune to see a copy when the State Library of NSW in Sydney had their copy of display some years ago. What a magnificent volume!...more
An account of the destruction of libraries throughout history. Reading this, I am surprised that any books and libraries have survived. It is unfortunAn account of the destruction of libraries throughout history. Reading this, I am surprised that any books and libraries have survived. It is unfortunate that the author wrote this more as a polemic (against almost everything it seems) rather than as a straight history. Still, there is much of interest here, and much sadness as well for bibliophiles....more
What a wonderful delight - I was hooked from the very first page. Miss Hanff is quite a character and the book shop staff are equally interesting. SucWhat a wonderful delight - I was hooked from the very first page. Miss Hanff is quite a character and the book shop staff are equally interesting. Such a charming and unexpected tale. Loved it!...more
This was an important, but difficult book to read. A book that demands that time and care be taken in its reading. I especially found the documentatioThis was an important, but difficult book to read. A book that demands that time and care be taken in its reading. I especially found the documentation of the vicious anti-semitism immersing Hitler and his society both confronting and incomprehensible. The author's research and scholarship is impeccable and his ability to relate particular books to actual events in Hitler's life impressive. Morbid and chilling, albeit fascinating at the same time - but then everyone will approach a book such as this with their own different views and ideas...more
An interesting memoir of life in Melbourne from the 1920s including her pioneering role as a school librarian from 1929 onwards. A vanished age with vAn interesting memoir of life in Melbourne from the 1920s including her pioneering role as a school librarian from 1929 onwards. A vanished age with very different mores and attitudes. She separated from her husband and became a single mother, but this has to be inferred as she never explicitly discusses it!...more
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