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Godine at Fifty: A Retrospective of Five Decades in the Life of an Independent Publisher
David R. Godine, Publisher's founder gives a personal tour of the most memorable books he published during his 50 year career. From his earliest days as a letter press printer to the present digital era, Godine maintained a tradition of an independent publishing, surviving against all odds: these books are the reason why.
After retiring at the end of 2019, David Godine created this catalog of the books that made his company endure. Uniquely as a small independent, Godine has always been an eclectic house, publishing across all genres. That range is reflected throughout this volume.
Over 350 titles are described in 24 chapters including Early Letterpress & Fine Printing, Wood Cut & Wood Engraving, Fiction, Poetry, Biography & Autobiography, History, Photography, Art, Architecture, Children's Books, Maritime, Music, Gardening, Cooking & Cuisine, and Typography. Authors range from Nobel Prize winners Patrick Modiano and J.M.G. Le Cl�zio to Ludwig Bemelmans and Ward Farnsworth. Noteworthy titles include Georges Perec's Life: A User's Manual, Andre Dubus's Separate Flights, William Gass's On Being Blue, Donald Hall's String Too Short to be Saved, Joseph Blumenthal's Art of the Printed Book, 1455-1955, and many more. Each entry is illustrated with its original cover and often interior spreads. Bibliographic information for first printings is provided along with David Godine's commentary on each title.
As a publishing time capsule, Godine at 50 is a record of an era that began during the reign of hot metal type and at a time when all retailers were brick-and-mortar. Cumulatively, this is the story, told through books, of an independent publisher who survived all challenges.
After retiring at the end of 2019, David Godine created this catalog of the books that made his company endure. Uniquely as a small independent, Godine has always been an eclectic house, publishing across all genres. That range is reflected throughout this volume.
Over 350 titles are described in 24 chapters including Early Letterpress & Fine Printing, Wood Cut & Wood Engraving, Fiction, Poetry, Biography & Autobiography, History, Photography, Art, Architecture, Children's Books, Maritime, Music, Gardening, Cooking & Cuisine, and Typography. Authors range from Nobel Prize winners Patrick Modiano and J.M.G. Le Cl�zio to Ludwig Bemelmans and Ward Farnsworth. Noteworthy titles include Georges Perec's Life: A User's Manual, Andre Dubus's Separate Flights, William Gass's On Being Blue, Donald Hall's String Too Short to be Saved, Joseph Blumenthal's Art of the Printed Book, 1455-1955, and many more. Each entry is illustrated with its original cover and often interior spreads. Bibliographic information for first printings is provided along with David Godine's commentary on each title.
As a publishing time capsule, Godine at 50 is a record of an era that began during the reign of hot metal type and at a time when all retailers were brick-and-mortar. Cumulatively, this is the story, told through books, of an independent publisher who survived all challenges.
292 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2021
18 people want to read
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August 2, 2022
This is a coffee table sized book and is a celebration of 50 years in the publishing business written by the publisher himself. David Godine spent 50 years publishing books that he believed in and published them in handsome/beautiful (take your pick) editions. I've seen books published under the Godine imprint for over 40 of those years, and while I always admired the look and feel of the books, there have been times when I had the feeling that the look and feel was more important than the content. Perhaps that's just me and perhaps its a reflection that no reader will like every book in a publisher's catalog.
I will say that a number of books that David Godine published have been important parts of my reading experience. My life would have been poorer were it not for books such as W.P. Kinsella's
The Moccasin Telegraph and Other Tales and Dance Me Outside: More Tales from the Ermineskin Reserve; Patrick Modiano and j.J. Sempé's collaboration, Catherine Certitude; M. Alvarez Bravo, a wonderful collection of photographs and the first Godine book I bought, over 40 years ago; and Jonathan Williams' A Palpable Elysium.
About the latter book, Mr. Godine comments: "In fifty years, most of my list may well be forgotten. . This, A Palpable Elysium, I predict, will be among the few survivors." I agree heartily.
This is a handsomely done valentine from the publisher to himself and is worth reading. Perhaps it might be an even better idea to seek out some of the Godine books that might appeal to you and read them.
I will say that a number of books that David Godine published have been important parts of my reading experience. My life would have been poorer were it not for books such as W.P. Kinsella's
The Moccasin Telegraph and Other Tales and Dance Me Outside: More Tales from the Ermineskin Reserve; Patrick Modiano and j.J. Sempé's collaboration, Catherine Certitude; M. Alvarez Bravo, a wonderful collection of photographs and the first Godine book I bought, over 40 years ago; and Jonathan Williams' A Palpable Elysium.
About the latter book, Mr. Godine comments: "In fifty years, most of my list may well be forgotten. . This, A Palpable Elysium, I predict, will be among the few survivors." I agree heartily.
This is a handsomely done valentine from the publisher to himself and is worth reading. Perhaps it might be an even better idea to seek out some of the Godine books that might appeal to you and read them.
Displaying 1 of 1 review