Thank you so much to NetGalley, Basic Books, and Adam Smyth for allowing me to review this fascinating book. This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in the history of printed books. There is a lot of information packed into this book, but I found it all very interesting. Thank you again for allowing me to review this interesting nonfiction book.

As someone who's been in publishing for more than 30 years and as a bibliophile, I gravitate toward books on the history of the industry, and this one is really good. It gave me the same shiver I felt when, at an antiquarian bookstore in Cambridge, Mass., I was encouraged to pick up and leaf through the first edition of Spencer's FAERIE QUEEN I'd been gawking at. The shopkeeper said I shouldn't worry about hurting the book, it was built to last, and was he ever right. They made a book well back then, and THE BOOK-MAKERS celebrates this craft by showing how that proceeded through nearly a dozen fascinating milestones. While Smyth's book is a bit overpacked at times, perhaps because there aren't that many facts to pack in so nothing was left to waste, and a bit dry here and there, I nonetheless ended the book wanting to buy a handpress and start churning out pages.

And there's much of current relevance. Former head of Macmillan Don Weisberg said during the DOJ's case against the PRH merger with S&S that a subscription book service, a Netflix for books, would destroy publishing. Setting aside that he seems to have forgotten about the existence of libraries--which is fitting because Macmillan largely ignores this market, despite it being the same size as the indies--I was fascinated by the history of the subscription libraries that preceded civic ones and how they not only didn't put publishers out of business, they bought a ton of books. I was also amused by the literary writer getting shut out of the biggest subscription service for a reason that echoes the Trump trial about election interference; the author's novel being too louche for their subscribers just as David Pecker said that a story on Stormy Daniels wouldn't work for the National Enquirer because it would upset shoppers at their biggest customer, Walmart.

What I appreciated most, though, was being inspired by the artistic approaches of these bookmakers. I recently went to a performance of several experimental plays at the Cut Edge Collective in NYC, which made me want to try my hand at writing some experimental plays too, and there was a lot in this book to prompt approaches and ideas, especially the Harmonies of LIttle Gidding. I found myself highlighting much more than I normally do.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the early look.

"The Book-Makers" is a good overview of the history of books, structured by the lives of different "book makers": binders, printers, papermakers, etc. It's not a biography because there isn't much information on many of the people Smyth is focusing on--Benjamin Franklin being one of the exceptions--but he is able to explore their lives through their work and the way that influenced the book as a form and culture as a whole.

The book can be a little dry at times. You really should be interested in the topic before you start reading it. But there are pure golden moments throughout the book that reflect on the history of books, of book-makers, and the history of a single book and the life that its had. If you like reflecting on any of these things, I would recommend "The Book-Makers" to you.

Excellent work indeed, for anyone who loves books and wonders of the many lives involved in creating them through the centuries. It is thoroughly researched without sounding too academic for the average reader who would be interested in a historical non fiction read such a as this one. it makes you curious to learn about the lives of these amazing people and it is written in a way that makes you want to join the author in his research.

"The Book-Makers" offers a captivating journey through the history of printed books, shedding light on the individuals who played pivotal roles in their creation. Through vivid portraits of eighteen remarkable figures, this book provides a fresh perspective on the evolution of Western culture's most cherished object.

Books have been instrumental in shaping human civilization, serving as vessels for creativity, knowledge, and entertainment. Yet, the individuals behind the scenes—the renegade book-makers who pushed the boundaries of printing, design, and binding—often remain overlooked. "The Book-Makers" seeks to rectify this by bringing these fascinating characters to the forefront.

From Wynkyn de Worde, whose printing of fifteenth-century bestsellers revolutionized the industry, to Nancy Cunard, whose avant-garde pamphlets challenged societal norms, each chapter offers a glimpse into the lives and contributions of these unsung heroes. Through their stories, we gain a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of human ingenuity and creativity that has shaped the world of books.

Whether you're a book lover, history enthusiast, or simply curious about the people behind the pages, "The Book-Makers" is a celebration of the enduring power of the written word and the visionaries who brought it to life.

What an incredibly interesting book! I have learned so much about the history of the thing I've more or less dedicated my life to! The book was well paced, and not too difficult, if sometimes a little bit over-detailed for my liking. There is so much warmth seeping through the pages as well, you can definitely tell from reading it that it has been written by someone who treasures books.

This feels like a book for any reading enthusiast, as well as someone who is just simply interested in history in general seeing as so much of history is centered around our ability to record and preserve things on paper.

Loved!

This was such an interesting book. I love how the author found specific people through history and did his best to really flesh out what their life would have been like. For example, in one spot, there's a fingerprint, an accident of whoever was making the book brushing the page with his hand--I mean, how cool is that? This was a much needed book and would be a great gift to a book lover!

This isn't a history of bookmaking from the dawn of time to our day, so readers shouldn't expect it from this book. Instead, this is a short history of bookmakers, that is: the people who contributed to the evolution, transformation, and betterment of books since the invention of the printing press in the 15th century that made books possible in the form we know them now: printed words on paper.

The Book-Makers is clearly a book by someone who loves books, as a method for information transfer and as a physical art in themselves. I think that the choice to illustrate aspects of the development of books through telling the stories of people was a good one, showing the human character of the form clearly. I feel that some of the chapters do have a tendency to wander a bit, losing that direct link to the person the chapter ostensibly centers around. In all, the book was an enjoyable, informative read.

Books about books are some of the best types, but combine it with cool history, and you get something even better. I found that I hadn't heard of many of the people in this book, which made it that much more interesting. A fun and informative read for history and book lovers alike!

What a detailed and absorbing read. Well written entertaining this book really transports you to the scenes of book printing, use of paper and all sorts of interesting topics about books. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

—Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Every reader that loves books with their whole heart and soul should read this. It was such an interesting experience.

awesome book about the people who built our idea of the books. tyssm for the arc. favorite passages are near the beginning and the end.

Professor at Balliol College, University of Oxford, Adam Smyth combines impressive scholarship with a touch of friendly gossip in THE BOOK-MAKERS: A HISTORY OF THE BOOK IN EIGHTEEN LIVES. He enlivens the detailed description of book-making, that is, literally producing books as physical objects, from late 15th century to the present day with tales of the people who led the way. At times the detail overwhelm, but they are all in service to capturing the variety and vigor of book-making history. I would predict Smyth’s work will be the go-to source on this topic for the foreseeable future.

With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.