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navahx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book is masterfully written. It's about libraries (duh), but I read a lot of history for non-academic audiences and the way the author centers his topic is like nothing I've read recently. Political players, cultural movements, and technologies are introduced through the lens of the library without ever getting off track just to make a good narrative. The narrow lens means more details can be revealed in a single book, because there is little time spent on exposition.
The mastery comes in because I think anyone casually interested in history could jump right into this book. I know a lot of history (mostly Western, late antiquity to early modern, but I'm no beginner to other times and places), but anyone could get from this book what I got.
The author just really stays on topic so the thread of the evolution of libraries has space to blossom.
I plan to re-read this in a year or two, that's my cadence for the non-fiction books I enjoy the most. This is in that top <5% which gets it tagged as "read again".
The mastery comes in because I think anyone casually interested in history could jump right into this book. I know a lot of history (mostly Western, late antiquity to early modern, but I'm no beginner to other times and places), but anyone could get from this book what I got.
The author just really stays on topic so the thread of the evolution of libraries has space to blossom.
I plan to re-read this in a year or two, that's my cadence for the non-fiction books I enjoy the most. This is in that top <5% which gets it tagged as "read again".
lillulu's review against another edition
4.0
A superb overview of the history of libraries. Loved the initial the beginning quarter in particular that helped set the stage for how libraries came to be and how they changed over the centuries, as well as how libraries impacted political power. Also loved the last chapter about the modern politics of libraries, and would easily read a whole book on that alone.
My only gripe with the book is how Eurocentric it was, which would be fine, except there are inklings and mentions of research into global libraries at different points, but they never go in as much depth as discussions about British or American libraries. Whenever they do, it’s always in relation to the UK or to the US, so it feels very one-sided.
And on a separate note that isn’t the content: I would not have chosen this narrator for this audiobook. It took me ages to get through the book because he spoke too fast and didn’t enunciate enough, making it very hard to understand him (and mind you, I listened to the audiobook on a much lower speed than what I usually listen in, and even then, it was very hard to grasp his words and follow the story, much to the detriment of the book).
My only gripe with the book is how Eurocentric it was, which would be fine, except there are inklings and mentions of research into global libraries at different points, but they never go in as much depth as discussions about British or American libraries. Whenever they do, it’s always in relation to the UK or to the US, so it feels very one-sided.
And on a separate note that isn’t the content: I would not have chosen this narrator for this audiobook. It took me ages to get through the book because he spoke too fast and didn’t enunciate enough, making it very hard to understand him (and mind you, I listened to the audiobook on a much lower speed than what I usually listen in, and even then, it was very hard to grasp his words and follow the story, much to the detriment of the book).
morgs777's review against another edition
4.0
I have a theory that I did not have a past life pre-1600 because I just do not care for history before that time (coming from your local history major friend).
The first 2/3 of this book I’d say is pre modern history. It is very academic, but it is good.
The library is such a special, treasured place. It’s been through a lot! My heart was both tested and filled reading this. The things librarians have done for the collective us and the literal us!
Recommended for history buffs and library lovers.
The first 2/3 of this book I’d say is pre modern history. It is very academic, but it is good.
The library is such a special, treasured place. It’s been through a lot! My heart was both tested and filled reading this. The things librarians have done for the collective us and the literal us!
Recommended for history buffs and library lovers.
helena_chris's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.5
While I loved reading this book, it has its ups and downs. While it starts off very interesting, the middle part drags on about the 16th and 17th centuries especially. Just out of curiosity, I googled the writers and it didn't come as a surprise that one of them specialized in this period of time. However, especially as it picked back up at the history during the world wars the reading became very interesting again.
All in all, I did enjoy it but I would be hesitant to recommend it to someone looking to read purely for pleasure.
All in all, I did enjoy it but I would be hesitant to recommend it to someone looking to read purely for pleasure.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Genocide, Colonisation, and Classism
jakobitz's review against another edition
4.0
An in-depth look at the history of libraries, book collecting, and more broadly books. An engaging read for any bibliophile, this historical work covers much ground and provides interesting insight into the evolution of the library. I would have enjoyed a more extensive look at the state and struggles of present day libraries in light of the excellent historical context just provided, but alas, this work is more of a traditional historical text, and offers scant insight or analysis of libraries in more recent years, let alone present day. Well written, interesting, but perhaps a bit long in places (depending upon your interest in the subject), The Library is a good primer for anyone interested in the history and fragility of the Library.
phibi's review against another edition
My dad accidentally stole my copy when he was helping me move and I can't find it. Would love to finish it when I can.