'It's a magical experience'

 

“What is true for book publishing istrue for civilization: the books that survive the test of time are humanity'sbacklist, our collective memory.” – Jason Epstein
 When it comes to books and theirhistory, Epstein, who was born in 1928,led one of the most creative careers in book publishing in the last half of the20th century.   The creator of Anchor Books, which launched the so-called “paperback revolution,” he establishedwhat became known as “Trade” paperbacks (the larger format size).  Epstein also co-founded The New York Review of Books, the Library of America, prestigious publisher of American classics, and The Reader'sCatalog, precursor to online bookselling.
Heedited such well-known novelists like E. L. Doctorow, Philip Roth, and Gore Vidaland was a major contributor of essays to the writing world.
Author of the bestseller Eating: A Memoir, he was the first recipientof the National Book Award for Distinguished Service to American Letters,received The Curtis Benjamin Award of the Association of American Publishersfor "creative publishing," and was given the lifetime achievement award from the NationalBook Critic’s Circle before his death in 2022. 
Epstein was a Champion for local, independent bookstores.   "A civilization without retail bookstores is unimaginable. Like shrines and other sacred meeting places, bookstores are essential artifacts of human nature. The feel of a book taken from the shelf and held in the hand is a magical experience, linking writer to reader."