The Great American Paperback: An Illustrated Tribute to Legends of the Book

by Richard A. Lupoff

Few realized in 1938 that a revolution was about to take place. A little book appeared in drugstores and on newsstands that would fit into the jacket pocket of an ordinary person. There was no real binding, no dust jacket, just a colorful, laminated cover. It was an experiment, and the pocket book was born. From the glittering images of square-jawed cowboys to the gritty slum-dwellers of social realism, "The Great American Paperback" is a bountiful museum of over 600 brilliant covers, each of them a miniature gem, evocative of the fashions and attitudes of its era. This book is destined to become a classic among librarians, graphic designers, and bibliophiles alike.

Genres: Art, History, Reference, Nonfiction

319 pages, Hardcover

First published July 24, 2001

About the author

Richard Allen "Dick" Lupoff (born February 21, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American science fiction and mystery author, who has also written humor, satire, non-fiction and reviews. In addition to his two dozen novels and more than 40 short stories, he has also edited science-fantasy anthologies. He is an expert on the writing of Edgar Rice Burroughs and has an equally strong interest in H. P. Lovecraft. Before becoming a full-time writer in 1970 he worked in the computer industry.

Reviews

[Phillip Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book details the history of paperbacks from the early days until the early 20th century as the paperback grew in popularity and sales. What the paperback book's purpose was to bring literature to the masses in an affordable format. What helped make the paperback's mass appeal was the publishing industry providing them free to American soldiers in WWII and it was appreciated. The post war years led to an explosion of many genres from crime to reprints of old comic book content like Mad magazine. There was even a Leave it to Beaver tie in written by my sister's favorite author Beverly Cleary. The covers reprinted in the book as it went from publisher to publisher were very attractive to the eye and they had to be to increase sales. I like the Frazetta covers and the fascinating mystery covers that really could make a browser consider looking them over. A good read and a feast for the eyes in my opinion.

[Paperback Papa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the kind of book you sit down and read cover to cover. It's more of a reference book with tons of great information about the fascinating history of the paperback. And oh, the gorgeous old covers that are included.

I didn't realize it was more the size of a coffee table book until it came in the mail. I find it so big and heavy that it's hard to hold and read for a long period of time. I took away a star because some of the print is small and white against a light-colored background. Hard on the eyes. But the info and the book cover photos are amazing.

[Goetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A large, well written book about the history of a book publishing format and the publishers that were working with it - this sounds already appealing to me, but what really makes this volume fantastic is the over 600 paperback covers used to illustrate this history. This is not just for the collectors of vintage paperbacks, but for everyone that likes to look at the development of book covers over a longer time. Of course those that started reading 30, 40 years ago might see old favourites again, or at least the styles of design which made them pick up books then...
And, it is not only "sex sells" - quite a lot of the covers show a level of abstraction that would fit in any modern art collection in a museum. The only problem with the book is that you need to have tissues at hand - the constant drooling over these cover designs will otherwise damage the book.

[Michael P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a fun, heavily illustrated stroll through the history of the American paperback, mostly organized by publisher. Lupoff does a nice if glossy job. There are hints that these stories are far more complex and interesting than in his light telling, they would have to be, but this book is a good place to begin. Don’t misunderstand. The emphasis here is on reproducing a lot of great paperback covers from the past, and that is why the book is so fun. This is hardly the definitive book on the subject, but the information is much better presented than that in most eye candy books.

[Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really- everything you wanted to know about the American paperback: the history, the publishers, the authors, the books, the covers, the artists, the controversies and even the collectability.
The cover illustrations alone of so many paperbacks are treasures in themselves.
A must for any booklover.

[Aaron Bruenger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book on the history of the American Paperback. But what one me over was the collection of cover art it displays. After-all, who hasn't decided to read a book because of it's alluring cover?

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the best book on the subject, but it's certainly the most attractive. This is a beautiful book and belongs in every library of book lovers.

[Mills College Library]

070.573 L965 2001