The Library: A World History Hardcover – Illustrated, October 14, 2013

Very good

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.

I bought this book as it was offered by another book club I belong to: The Folio Society. It was highly recommended, and they weren't wrong, it is a great book to read and browse. I also have a small library in my house and wanted to improve the look of the book cases (I am also a wood worker) and thought this would provide some wonderful inspiration, and that it did. But the vast number of libraries in the world, nearly all I would never, but would love to, see, is astonishing. A few of them I have seen talked about on various TV shows lately, the History channel for one if memory serves me, and it was also great to see in this book, very old library's that have been in existence for centuries, like one in Turkey since AD 155, although not sure it has books in it any more, or what they used for books back then. Then there is one in South Korea from 1251. Still in use! But one of the things I love the most is the huge libraries, seemingly stories high made of beautiful wood carvings, citing one example: The Library of the Abbey of St. Gall, St. Gallen, Switzerland, 1765. A beautiful book that will keep you enthralled for ages, especially if you are a book lover as well as someone who will get excited over the magnificence of the architecture of libraries, inside and out.

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!

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.

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.