⋙ Read Free The Book on the Bookshelf Henry Petroski 9780375706394 Books

The Book on the Bookshelf Henry Petroski 9780375706394 Books

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The Book on the Bookshelf Henry Petroski 9780375706394 Books

It's a good book. I've designed a number of complex built-in bookcases, own a sizeable hone library with aspirations, and this book fits in nicely among other books about the history of books and libraries while covering some new ground.

One thing I didn't quite get is the introduction where he talks about a friend of his but doesn't say who it is--is he being silly or did the person not want to be named? I just couldn't decide but he makes it pretty clear who the person is.

Anyway if you're interested in this topic, it's worth the time and space on the shelf.


Tags : The Book on the Bookshelf [Henry Petroski] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. From the author of the highly praised <b>The Pencil</b> and <b>The Evolution of Useful Things</b> comes another captivating history of the seemingly mundane: the book and its storage. Most of us take for granted that our books are vertical on our shelves with the spines facing out,Henry Petroski,The Book on the Bookshelf,Vintage,0375706399,Books & Reading,GENERAL,General Adult,LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES Library & Information Science General,LITERARY CRITICISM Books & Reading,Language Arts & DisciplinesLibrary & Information Science - General,Library & Information Science - General,Literary Criticism,Literary reference works,Literary studies: general,Literature - Classics Criticism,Non-Fiction,STARS,TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING History,essays;literary criticism;linguistics;education;anthology;technology;world history;engineering;antiques;gifts for book lovers;history books;history;literature;library;antique books;engineering books;librarian gifts;engineer;book lovers gifts;literary gifts;book lovers;gifts for history buffs;flea market;nerd gifts;gifts for readers;antiques and collectibles;book lover;gifts for readers book lovers;book club;history coffee table books;historical books;history gifts;history buff gifts,engineering; literary criticism; essays; linguistics; world history; history books; history; gifts for history buffs; history gifts; education; technology; anthology; library; librarian gifts; literature; antiques; book lovers gifts; gifts for book lovers; antique books; engineering books; literary gifts; nerd gifts; engineer; flea market; antiques and collectibles; book lover; gifts for readers; gifts for librarians; book lover gifts; book club; engineer gifts; literature book; book lovers; book gifts; historical books

The Book on the Bookshelf Henry Petroski 9780375706394 Books Reviews

As advertised
Another excellent addition to my collection of Books about Books!
A historical trip through the development of how books have been kept over the ages. It could be dry for those who don't really love books, but fascinating for those of us who do. His other books are equally interesting.
I enjoy this book so much that I bought this to replace the one I thought I lost, then found the first one again
We tend not to think about things like the bookshelf. It's history and function. And the book on it. Weren't books always shelved the way they are now? Spine out, on a horizontal shelf next to others placed vertically?

Well, no. Petroski takes the reader on a an adventure through the reading history of the West, explaining the birth of books and what they were set upon. Numerous illustrations take us from the codex to the chained book to the printed book. From horizontal stacking to front cover out to spine in to spine out.

Truly an intriguing romp for bibliophiles and historians. A must for anybody in library science. Well-cited, though with that new style of endnotes that makes me gag. A bib and index, along with an appendix on shelving systems. An endlessly diverting book.
I'm a book collector and reader, and had always taken the shelves on which they stand for grated. This interesting book tells me how my bookshelves got the way they are and perhaps what the future will bring. Ironically, I read this on my iPad so it doesn't need a space on a shelf, but I generally prefer the tactile look, feel and smell of a bound book, so shelves and their history will remain in my house.
Who thinks of bookshelves? No one, unless you need to shelve some books, and even then it seems `pretty obvious'. Well, think again. Henry Petroski, a professor of both Civil Engineering and History at Duke University, has written an amazing study of the booksehelf.

Did you know that for much of history, books were shelved spine in, instead of spine outwards? Did you know that many libraries have tall, slender widows-for a reason? Did you know that some libraries, the buildings themselves, are held up by their bookshelves?

Did you know that libraries are built much stronger than most buildings, because the weight of the books would destroy `normal' buildings? One of the reason the Pentagon survived the 9/11 crash so well was that is was designed to be a library/records retention facility, instead of an office building.

This and other interesting information can be found in "The Book on the Bookshelf". Much of the information is not well known, even by librarians. For example, in Clearwater, Florida, they had to remove most of their books from the main library a few years ago when a visitor (a civil engineer) noticed that they had converted a department store to a library. He calculated that the weight of the books on the upper floors should have collapsed the building. They investigated and found large cracks! They quickly removed most of the books, and set about designing a new library.

After reading this volume, you will never look at a library, bookshelf, or even a book the same way again. I have read this book several times, and find new meaning and information each time. Probably his best work. Highly recommended.
It's a good book. I've designed a number of complex built-in bookcases, own a sizeable hone library with aspirations, and this book fits in nicely among other books about the history of books and libraries while covering some new ground.

One thing I didn't quite get is the introduction where he talks about a friend of his but doesn't say who it is--is he being silly or did the person not want to be named? I just couldn't decide but he makes it pretty clear who the person is.

Anyway if you're interested in this topic, it's worth the time and space on the shelf.