Memory's Library: Medieval Books in Early Modern England

by Jennifer Summit

In Jennifer Summit’s account, libraries are more than inert storehouses of written tradition; they are volatile spaces that actively shape the meanings and uses of books, reading, and the past. Considering the two-hundred-year period between 1431, which saw the foundation of Duke Humfrey’s famous library, and 1631, when the great antiquarian Sir Robert Cotton died, Memory’s Library revises the history of the modern library by focusing on its origins in medieval and early modern England. Summit argues that the medieval sources that survive in English collections are the product of a Reformation and post-Reformation struggle to redefine the past by redefining the cultural place, function, and identity of libraries. By establishing the intellectual dynamism of English libraries during this crucial period of their development, Memory’s Library demonstrates how much current discussions about the future of libraries can gain by reexamining their past.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

354 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Matt Kuhns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memory's Library seemed interesting, but I ultimately got around to reading it as part of research I'm doing, and might not have finished it otherwise.

The strengths of Memory's Library are that Summit is clearly a very intelligent scholar, with thoughtful insights into her subject, and is capable of a good turn of phrase as well.

At the same time, however, the book has certain weaknesses, especially for the general reader. It's obviously written as a scholarly thesis, with phrases like "I will argue" appearing regularly. It's written for a very well-educated audience, as well; I'm an honors graduate of a four-year university and relatively well-read, including within English history, and even I found Memory's Library occasionally assuming background knowledge I couldn't supply. Yet, paradoxically, the book's most trying characteristic is its repetitiveness. Over and over, Summit proposes something, offers illustrations and explains her point, and then proceeds to belabor the same point two, three, four or more times.

For those interested in the premise, Memory's Library is worth a look; just don't expect popular nonfiction writing.

[Felicia Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyed it, but wished summit talked more about cottin's library