The Library: A World History

"The Library: A World History" by James W.P. Campbell is a beautiful book. At 328 pages long, there is much to appreciate within, and if you are a bibliophile like I am, you will find yourself mesmerized. I spent a good portion of this afternoon (about four hours) reading and perusing this wonderful book that stitches together a compelling narrative about the history of libraries throughout time. Almost every page contains a full color photograph that captures the beauty of various libraries found throughout the world. The author follows a chronological format in describing these libraries. The focus is not so much on the content of the libraries, although the photographs capture the tomes in all their glory, showcased in beautiful and majestic settings, but more on the history of the libraries and how they came into existence. As I am fascinated by history, I was particularly riveted by the chapter on the libraries of the ancient world, amazed at how the Library of Celsus (AD 135) in Ephesus, Turkey came to be; the ruins of the Library of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh, Iraq, and also the chapter on libraries in the Middle Ages. The history behind each structure is compelling and spellbinding, and any booklover or student of architecture will find much to enjoy in this book. There are interesting nuggets of information alongside detailed descriptions of history and architecture. For example, can you imagine that the Shiba Ryotaro Museum in Osaka, Japan contains the entire book collection of the famed author himself, all 20,000 volumes? Or the fact that the second Earl Spencer was a bibliophile himself and was one of the earliest English aristocrats to amass a large private book collection which was housed in his country estate. He went on to found the Roxburghe Club, which was an exclusive club for book collectors, and he eventually donated his book collection to the British Museum. Here's the contents of the book for easy reference: Chapter One: Lost Beginnings - Libraries in the Ancient World Chapter Two: Cloisters, Codices, and Chests - Libraries in the Middle Ages Chapter Three: Cupboards, Chains, and Stalls - Libraries in the 16th Century Chapter Four: Walls, Domes, and Alcoves - Libraries in the 17th Century Chapter Five: Angels, Frescoes, and Secret Doors - Libraries in the 18th Century Chapter Six: Iron Stacks, Gaslights, and Card Catalogues - Libraries in the 19th Century Chapter Seven: Electricity, Concrete, and Steel - Libraries in the 20th Century Chapter Eight: The Future of Libraries in the Electronic Age There are comprehensive notes, a bibliographical essay, and an index at the back of the book. The photographs by Will Pryce make this book an aesthetic piece of art, and I would go as far as to say, this is a must-have for anyone who has enjoyed the beauty of a book and who loves spending time in a library.

This is a beautiful tome. It's almost too pretty to believe it can contain truly novel and interesting content, yet it does. A great gift for any library or book lovers. And yes, it makes a great coffee table book, but only if you have a nice enough coffee table to surround this book. ;-)

The Library, a World History, is a fascinating history of Libraries and Library architecture through the ages. The photography is outstanding, the excellent scholarship is evident, and the writing is engaging. It follows the history of libraries in chronological fashion, reviewing the architecture, functionality, and the effects of technology and politics on library design through the ages. The photography is exquisite.

Beautiful book. Highly recommend!

As of this entry every review has been five stars. And should you decide to purchase this gorgeous book you will immediately understand why. This truly is a spectacular work. It covers the history of the library from ancient times to the very present. While the majority of the focus is on Continental Europe and England there are a number of Asian and American examples included as well. The Medieval and Baroque libraries are stunningly beautiful and are certainly my favorites. And, fortunately, they are very well represented in this collection. The last seventy pages are dedicated to contemporary libraries, and although impressive, they just don't evoke the same measure of appeal. The photography here is awe-inspiring. The views are crystal clear and perfectly chosen. A cloth binding would have been an improvement but it's a small consideration and outweighed by a very attractive dust jacket. I have a copy of "The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World", and although quite nice, it is not anywhere near this book's equal. I can't imagine any lover of books, libraries or architecture not thoroughly enjoying this outstanding production.

Thank you.. Book like new.

This is a gorgeous book, the photos are high quality, full page images that make you feel like you're there. The information is surprisingly interesting, even for for big fans of libraries/ books like myself. I love this book. A great gift for a book lover or a great addition to your coffee table. The perfect read for a rainy day when you're feeling curious.

Yes, this is a coffee table book, and probably appeals mostly to bibliophiles (and perhaps architecture students). As such, bibliophiles can simply flip through the pages and appreciate the lovely photos. But if the size and weight aren't off-putting (it's perhaps best read at a desk or, if one has one, medieval angled lectern), it has a wealth of information on the development of the form and function of libraries through the ages, showing how the need to protect and preserve books, the desire to present them both for use and for appreciation as cultural objects, and the changes brought by varying tastes and the development of technology changed the appearance of libraries. Particularly gratifying, especially in a book of this size and scope (from ancient Mesopotamia to the new millenium, and spanning the globe), is how the photos match the subject discussed on that page. Such care for the reader is the mark of a thoughtful editor (which one expects from the U. of Chicago Press), and it makes the reading more enjoyable.

I love libraries. When visiting somewhere, the library (and museums) are must-visits. Why? There's the lure of the collection itself, sometimes containing special items that I wouldn't get to see elsewhere. And then there's the space itself. Libraries, like churches, are built to last, built to awe and inspire, and built to be practical. Libraries range from dull and dreary to magnificent and wonderful. This book looks at the second type, obviously! This is a collaboration between a photographer taking beautiful images of these spaces (and as such making a wonderful coffee-table type book), as well as a writer delving into the space and collections. The libraries are world-wide, ranging from the oldest intact library in the world (in Korea) to some of the incredible new spaces being built in places like China. They cover every type of architecture imaginable (and a few that I wouldn't have imagined). The photographs are stunning and inspiring. More than a study of libraries, this is a study of the science of the library, too. It looks at why libraries exist at all, how they have changed as book technology has evolved, and how they cater to their patron's requirements over the years. It looks at the special collections as much as the routine. The repository of human history to the dispensing of the latest top-10 books. It's a statement on the capturing of human knowledge, how we convey that knowledge, and how we house an archive of that knowledge. It is a scholarly work, at heart, but framed in a context that makes it interesting and beautiful to look through. This is a rare volume, mostly because I can think of no other book that captures this subject so eloquently and beautifully. The combination of words and pictures is just right, allowing even a casual browser of the pictures to learn, and those who actually read to wonder at the marvelous photography. This has been one of my favorite books of the past year, and I am delighted to have it in my own library!

J'ai acheté ce livre en ENGL pour une amie, j'avais déjà la version NL chez moi (Néerlandais =une des langues de Belgique !!!!) et ce livre m'avait séduit, donc envie de partager

Great book but for the jarring typo in the very first paragraph! Was delivered quick, though it came with one corner slightly squished but the book is so well researched, well written and so beautifully printed that I can forget the little hiccups.

Ein sehr schönes Buch. War ein Weihnachtsgeschenk und ist super angekommen.

são muitos sonhos dentro de um único sonho primorosamente encadernado. Não estão todas as grandes bibliotecas desse nosso planeta. São milhares e sei que seria impossível reuni-las todas em uma única obra. Mas o que tem já da para fazer muitas viagens. Conheci algumas destas grandes bibliotecas e certamente utilizarei o livro como roteiro para minhas próximas viagens de re-descobrimento destes monumentos arquitetônicos do saber.