How is ink made? What is the bestselling book of all time? What are the
oldest known books in the world? And how does one make sense of the
colors found on Penguin paperbacks? The answers to these questions and
many more await readers in The Book Lovers' Miscellany.
The Book Lovers' Miscellany is a cornucopia for bibliophiles. With
customary wisdom and wit, Claire Cock-Starkey presents a brief
illustrated history of paper, binding, printing, and dust jackets, with
a wealth of arcane facts that even the most avid book lovers may be
hard-pressed to answer: Which natural pigments were used to decorate
medieval bibles? Which animal is needed for the making of vellum?
Curious facts are drawn from throughout the history of books and
publishing, including many more recent examples, such as a short history
of the comic and the story behind the massively successful Harlequin
romance imprint Mills and Boon. Readers can explore the output of the
most prolific writers and marvel at the youth of the youngest published
authors--or lament the decisions of the publishers who rejected books
that later became colossal bestsellers. The book also includes a
collection of lists, including unfinished novels, books that have faced
bans, books printed with mistakes, the most influential academic books
of all time, and the longest established literary families.
The perfect gift for every bibliophile, The Book Lovers' Miscellany is
equally well suited to reading straight through or dipping into here and
there.
