"In The History of the Book in 100 Books, the authors explore 100 books that have played a critical role in the creation and expansion of books and all that they bring - literacy, numeracy, expansion of knowledge, religion, political theory, oppression, liberation, and much more. The book is ordered ... chronologically and divided thematically. Each of the 100 sections focuses on one book that represents a particular development in the evolution of books and in turn, world history and society. Abundant photographs inform and embellish." (Publisher description) more

"Containing nearly 4,000 entries of defined terms, Glaister's encyclopedia remains the definitive source on the book as an object and on bookmaking as a trade. There are entries for people (bookseller Thomas Gosden); businesses (Pelican Press); places (Little Britain); slang terms (the French livres ... cochons for illustrated erotica), pieces of equipment (joiner's press); the parts of a book (foot); printing processes (ink grinding); book-related organizations (the Poetry Book Society); and even individual reference titles (Books in Print). Entries vary in length from a few to more than 3,000 words, with the average being about 80 words. There are four appendixes: a sample of different specimens of typeface, a listing of Latin place-names used in early imprints, British proof-correction symbols, and a bibliography of further readings for the true bibliophile. For this printing of Glaister's standard work, retired librarian Donald Farren has changed the alphabetizing to a letter-by-letter arrangement, from the previous word-by-word system. Also, about a third of the book has been rewritten-1,144 of this edition's entries are new." (American Reference Books Annual 1997 Nr. 554) more