The Times Best Literary Non-fiction Books 2021 - 'a super
yarn'
**
'Rick Gekoski's encyclopaedic knowledge of rare books is matched only by
the enthusiasm and brio with which he writes about them' Ian Rankin**
*
Rick Gekoski has been traversing the rocky terrain of the rare book
trade for over fifty years. The treasure he seeks is scarce, carefully
buried and often jealously guarded, knowledge of its hiding place shared
through word of mouth like the myths of old.*
In Guarded by Dragons, Gekoski invites readers into this enchanted
world as he reflects on the gems he has unearthed throughout his career.
He takes us back to where his love of collecting began - perusing D.H.
Lawrence first editions in a slightly suspect Birmingham carpark. What
follows are dizzying encounters with literary giants as Gekoski
publishes William Golding, plays ping-pong with Salman Rushdie and
lunches with Graham Greene. A brilliant stroke of luck sees Sylvia
Plath's personal copy of The Great Gatsby fall into Gekoski's lap,
only for him to discover the perils of upsetting a Poet Laureate when
Ted Hughes demands its return.
Hunting for literary treasure is not without its battles and Gekoski
boldly breaks the cardinal rule never to engage in a lawsuit with
someone much richer than yourself, while also guarding his bookshop from
the most unlikely of thieves. The result is an unparalleled insight into
an almost mythical world where priceless first editions of Ulysses can
vanish, and billionaires will spend as much gold as it takes to own the
manuscript of J.K. Rowling's Tales of Beedle the Bard.
Engaging, funny and shrewd, Guarded by Dragons is a fascinating
discussion on value and worth. At the same time, Gekoski artfully
reveals how a manuscript can tell a thousand stories.
