The Library: A World History

This is a beautiful tome. It's almost too pretty to believe it can contain truly novel and interesting content, yet it does. A great gift for any library or book lovers. And yes, it makes a great coffee table book, but only if you have a nice enough coffee table to surround this book. ;-)

"The Library: A World History" by James W.P. Campbell is a beautiful book. At 328 pages long, there is much to appreciate within, and if you are a bibliophile like I am, you will find yourself mesmerized. I spent a good portion of this afternoon (about four hours) reading and perusing this wonderful book that stitches together a compelling narrative about the history of libraries throughout time. Almost every page contains a full color photograph that captures the beauty of various libraries found throughout the world.The author follows a chronological format in describing these libraries. The focus is not so much on the content of the libraries, although the photographs capture the tomes in all their glory, showcased in beautiful and majestic settings, but more on the history of the libraries and how they came into existence. As I am fascinated by history, I was particularly riveted by the chapter on the libraries of the ancient world, amazed at how the Library of Celsus (AD 135) in Ephesus, Turkey came to be; the ruins of the Library of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh, Iraq, and also the chapter on libraries in the Middle Ages. The history behind each structure is compelling and spellbinding, and any booklover or student of architecture will find much to enjoy in this book.There are interesting nuggets of information alongside detailed descriptions of history and architecture. For example, can you imagine that the Shiba Ryotaro Museum in Osaka, Japan contains the entire book collection of the famed author himself, all 20,000 volumes? Or the fact that the second Earl Spencer was a bibliophile himself and was one of the earliest English aristocrats to amass a large private book collection which was housed in his country estate. He went on to found the Roxburghe Club, which was an exclusive club for book collectors, and he eventually donated his book collection to the British Museum.Here's the contents of the book for easy reference:Chapter One: Lost Beginnings - Libraries in the Ancient WorldChapter Two: Cloisters, Codices, and Chests - Libraries in the Middle AgesChapter Three: Cupboards, Chains, and Stalls - Libraries in the 16th CenturyChapter Four: Walls, Domes, and Alcoves - Libraries in the 17th CenturyChapter Five: Angels, Frescoes, and Secret Doors - Libraries in the 18th CenturyChapter Six: Iron Stacks, Gaslights, and Card Catalogues - Libraries in the 19th CenturyChapter Seven: Electricity, Concrete, and Steel - Libraries in the 20th CenturyChapter Eight: The Future of Libraries in the Electronic AgeThere are comprehensive notes, a bibliographical essay, and an index at the back of the book. The photographs by Will Pryce make this book an aesthetic piece of art, and I would go as far as to say, this is a must-have for anyone who has enjoyed the beauty of a book and who loves spending time in a library.

The Library, a World History, is a fascinating history of Libraries and Library architecture through the ages. The photography is outstanding, the excellent scholarship is evident, and the writing is engaging.It follows the history of libraries in chronological fashion, reviewing the architecture, functionality, and the effects of technology and politics on library design through the ages. The photography is exquisite.

I’m an avid book reader and as such, love libraries and bookstores. The photos in this book are beautiful! I bought one for myself and one for the librarian at my elementary school for National Librarian Day. She loved it as much as I did!

This was a Christmas gift for my son, who loves to study in the large room at the NY Public Library and is interested in architecture. He really enjoys reading about and looking at the stunning libraries around the world. Great for architecture and history buffs, and anyone who loves libraries!

Sophisticates used to say they bought Playboy to read the articles and paid no attention to the pictures. I bought this book for the opposite reason: to look at the gorgeous pictures of libraries through the years — and they are gorgeous!However, I deigned to read a few words of the text, and discovered that it was fascinating and beautifully written, so I read it in detail. While it speaks about libraries, it also treats the various external factors that affected libraries, including their shifting patrons — the state, the church, the nobility, the plutocrats, the philanthropists, and the democrats. It also considers the effects of technology — the invention of books, paper, movable-type printing, gas lighting, electricity, and computing. Not to mention the evolution of architectural styles from classical to medieval, renaissance, baroque, rococo, neoclassical, Victorian, and modern. And, of course, the incorporation of the fine arts into library design.Although enjoyably readable, the book also includes all the scholarly apparatus necessary for a true student of libraries. Any lover of books, libraries, or beautiful buildings will delight in this volume.

Yes, this is a coffee table book, and probably appeals mostly to bibliophiles (and perhaps architecture students). As such, bibliophiles can simply flip through the pages and appreciate the lovely photos. But if the size and weight aren't off-putting (it's perhaps best read at a desk or, if one has one, medieval angled lectern), it has a wealth of information on the development of the form and function of libraries through the ages, showing how the need to protect and preserve books, the desire to present them both for use and for appreciation as cultural objects, and the changes brought by varying tastes and the development of technology changed the appearance of libraries. Particularly gratifying, especially in a book of this size and scope (from ancient Mesopotamia to the new millenium, and spanning the globe), is how the photos match the subject discussed on that page. Such care for the reader is the mark of a thoughtful editor (which one expects from the U. of Chicago Press), and it makes the reading more enjoyable.