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Written by 
- Format: Hardcover, 320 pages
- Publisher: Smithsonian Books
- On Sale: September 17, 2003
- Price: $49.95
- ISBN: 978-0-89599-030-3 (0-89599-030-X)
about this book
Through more than 300 glorious illustrations from library collections around the globe, you’ll discover a wealth of book lore in these pages and gain a new appreciation for the role of books in human society, from our earliest attempts at writing and recording information to the newest electronic books; from sumptuous illuminated and bejeweled medieval manuscripts to Gutenberg and the invention of movable type; from the diverse arts and crafts of bookmaking to the building of magnificent libraries for housing treasured volumes; from the ancient epic of Gilgamesh to the plays of Shakespeare and the tales of Beatrix Potter; and from the earliest illustrated books to revolutionary science texts.
“Succeeds beautifully. Olmert’s lively text describes the evolution of the book and its impact on society.” - Bloomsbury Review
“The ultimate thrill for readers: beautiful, copious illustrations, and text that leaves no page of book history unturned.” - Los Angeles Daily News
“A feast for book lovers.” - Publishers Weekly
