Reading Matters: Five Centuries of Discovering Books

by Margaret Willes

It is easy to forget in our own day of cheap paperbacks and mega-bookstores that, until very recently, books were luxury items. Those who could not afford to buy had to borrow, share, obtain secondhand, inherit, or listen to others reading. This book examines how people acquired and read books from the sixteenth century to the present, focusing on the personal relationships between readers and the volumes they owned. Margaret Willes considers a selection of private and public libraries across the period—most of which have survived—showing the diversity of book owners and borrowers, from country-house aristocrats to modest farmers, from Regency ladies of leisure to working men and women. Exploring the collections of avid readers such as Samuel Pepys, Thomas Jefferson, Sir John Soane, Thomas Bewick, and Denis and Edna Healey, Margaret Willes also investigates the means by which books were sold, lending fascinating insights into the ways booksellers and publishers marketed their wares. For those who are interested in books and reading, and especially those who treasure books, this book and its bounty of illustrations will inform, entertain, and inspire.

Genres: History, Books About Books, Nonfiction, Literature, Reference

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 21, 2008

About the author

Margaret Willes studied modern history and architectural history at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. She was an editor at three London publishing houses before becoming the Publisher at the National Trust, where she began the Trust's own book imprint. In addition to producing the list that included many illustrated books, she also acted as the author of works such as Memories of Childhood (1997) and Scenes from Georgian Life (2001).

Reviews

[Jbondandrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read the accounts of different historical figures and the books they owned, purchased etc. Though I didn't read the chapter on Thomas Jefferson and I thought the chapter that had Ramsay MacDonald cut his possible books rather short.

[Mark]

As a work of historical scholarship, this is without question a first-rate, five-star book. It is exhaustively researched and documented. My review is highly subjective, and reflects what I found to be some tedious and repetitious aspects of the prose and narrative. I have fussed over my assessment of this book for the past couple of days, and in the end decided to qualify my less than complimentary "stars" rating with one simple fact: Margaret Willes is a first-rate historian, and a first rate prose stylist as well, but who could, I think, in this book, benefited from more judicious editing. As one perspicacious reviewer says below, this book is "UK-centric," which may have been another obstacle to my full enjoyment of this fine book.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nonfiction about the libraries of Brits (and the occasional American) and their book buying habits, as well as the customs of the day. Packed full of examples but not much else. A good reminder that books have traditionally been a (male) luxury item and the popularity of fiction is a relatively new phenomenon.

[Theophanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing how such a seemingly dry subject as the history of publishing and selling books can be so absorbing. She brings forth interesting historical characters I had never heard of before (with some notable exceptions), and leaves me richer for knowing about them. Very well written, and absolutely to be recommended.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really should get something like 2.5 stars. I liked a lot of the information in this book, but the writing was WAY less analytical than it needed to be. Pretty disappointing as an academic analysis, and not whimsical ENOUGH to just qualify as a fun book about books.

[Debye · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fascinating looks at printing, publishing and book collecting over the last 5 centuries. this is UK-centric but still a thoroughly enjoyable read if one is interested in the history of books