The Madman's Library

Wow what an incredible book. As an avid reader, I definitely would add this book to my library. The book discusses odd interesting texts. I highly recommend it

Opening with the immortal line "I had just turned one when my father first used me as a bidder's paddle at auction," a baggy but beautifully illustrated survey of some of the odder examples to be found among the estimated 130,000,000 books in existence. Sometimes it's an individual edition or even copy that's noteworthy – the Kipling which stopped a bullet with 20 pages to spare, or a Koran written in Saddam Hussein's blood (at his own insistence, rather than by an enemy as one might have thought). Elsewhere, it is books which are strange in themselves, and obviously that's a loose and debatable category. There's a lot of familiar material here – from Masquerade and the Hitler diaries to 'to craunch the marmoset' – even if it is sometimes presented from an unfamiliar angle; I think this may be the first time I've read an account of glove-puppet snake god Glycon which was neither by nor mentioned the modern leader of his cult, Alan Moore. I knew about the Sin On Bible and the Adulterer's Bible, but not the Owl Bible, a 1944 edition where a broken letter 'n' at the printer turns 1 Peter 3:5 into "For after this manner, the holy women also, who trusted God, adorned themselves also, being in subjection to their owl husbands." Equally, I knew about Titivillus, the demon responsible for scribal errors, but not that the OED spent at least half a century with an incorrect page reference regarding him. Stranger still were the times when things I'd not long since learned myself came along, from Hernando Columbus' book of epitomes, to Dark Archives and the history of books bound in human skin. But there was nonetheless a great deal of wholly new stuff, from improbably fluorescent crabs to Bevis Hillier's brilliant revenge-hoax on AN Wilson (who knew Betjeman biographers were such bitches?).

Fakes, scandals, outsider art, even an entire auction of books which didn't exist from a library that didn't exist, the venue and purchaser also invented, but whose real (if entirely untrue) catalogue now goes for £12,000 – all manner of ridiculousness is here, much of it exactly the sort of thing one feels compelled to show or read to an amused or long-suffering spouse. Sometimes it veers a long way from the theme of odd books, perhaps because the book is really just a peg to hang a story on, as with the surprising shrine of Jesus' other grave – you know, the one in Japan, where he died a centenarian? Or, still in the religious section, there's John Murray Spear, a 19th century American preacher who attempted to construct an electrically powered messiah. The biggest stretch may be the section on peculiar typewriters, but it's not like they're not worth a look, especially given some of them look like the devices used by an unusually twee and steampunk faction of cenobites. Besides, given the nature of the project, expecting a more disciplined approach would be a contradiction in terms; it's a cabinet of curiosities, part of which is that not every entry can be of interest to every visitor, but all will find something to tickle their fancy. Barring a list of peculiar titles, the book's final section comes back around nicely to core concerns, first exploring the list of ever more minuscule volumes competing for the title of world's smallest book, before taking us to the other extreme with the PDF publication of Googolplex Written Out. Now, we've many of us had cause to swear upon pressing 'print' on a document that was longer than expected, but no bad language could suffice for this one, where printing it would require more matter than exists in the known universe. Meaning we must be content, in terms of physical books, with minnows like the 7.5 ton publication of the complete Brazilian tax laws, on which the lawyer responsible is shown sitting, some distance from the ground. Of course, having been printed in 2014, it's already well out of date – though alas, when contacted prior to inclusion, the publisher confirmed that no expanded second edition is planned.

Also, the 18th century slang 'fun thruster', for a sodomite, is definitely due a revival. And as for mathematician John Napier denouncing 22 popes as "abominable necromancers", if the family stories about him are even halfway true then he had a bloody cheek.

Oh, and if you think this review is one of those trailers that includes all the good bits of the film – seriously, there's plenty more here that's just as wonderfully silly.

(Netgalley ARC)

If the cover has not already convinced you, if you have a literary lover in your life this would be an incredible gift. Reminds by of books like "book of the dead" which I adored as well. I look forward to purchasing the physical copy for myself and friends!

"Subjective Strangeness is in the eye of the book holder"

"The Madman's Library" is a MUST HAVE for every book collector. Edward Brooke-Hitching dives into the obscure history of books and all of it's oddities to compile the strangest books throughout history. "The Madman's Library" brings into the spotlight the outcasts for once, the books not mentioned in popular culture or primary school, the books considered too controversial or odd, abandoned and forgotten about, and tells us the fascinating stories of how they were created. Being an eccentric, antique book collecting, history obsessed artist myself, I absolutely LOVED this entire book. It is beautifully illustrated and the pictures are amazing so "The Madman's Library" is the perfect coffee table book and would make a unique gift for all of your book loving friends.

Thank you for the Advance Reading copy, I really enjoyed it.

Let's be frank, there's very little about this that appears at all mad (apart perhaps from some blood-letting Chinese scholars making their own ink from themselves), for some good time. This is a whirlwind tour of everything every book lover would love to have, from the Voynich Manuscript, to books bound in human skin, and through the fake Hitler diaries to the likes of "Masquerade", the puzzle book with the immense sales figures and golden rabbit reward, and no small sense, it turned out, of dubiousness. It does get suitably mad, and perhaps a smidge less interesting, when discussing antiquarian religious books produced in cahoots with the Devil, and the typical mediaeval medical advice involving lots of urine and dead animals. But everything bizarre that has ever been in print is here, so much so the likes of the "Hypnerotomachia Poliphili" and the "Malleus Maleficarum" are deemed too bloody mundane. Here's A N Wilson getting suitably shafted by a vengeful author, here's a wonderful chapter devoted to the smallest and then the largest volumes known to man, here is Jesus living to the age of 106 in Japan, while his brother took his place on the cross, and here is Stevie Wonder doing the soundtrack to a film about the psychic ability of plants, in one of the world-beating, if not world-stopping, bits of trivia to be gained here. Stupendous scope – the visuals are everywhere, and are wonderful, and contain just as much unique content as did the text – means this has to get a five star rating. Yes, it preaches to the converted, in being a book honouring books for people who honour books, but it's joyous, over-too-soon fun.

What a fascinating, beautiful look at books and book related curiosities. I highly recommend this for all who love books. The accompanying illustrations are both gorgeous and though provoking. I don't often say I want a copy to keep in my own collection, but this is one book I NEED!

A Cornucopia Of Delightful Curiosities....
A cornucopia of delightful curiosities and crammed with rich illustrations. A journey of literature with manuscripts, some forgotten, and the stories behind them. Fascinating reading and a treat for the eyes. An uplifting gift for any bibliophile.

The Madman's Library was a fascinating read from start to finish. It's an amazing compendium of facts and tales that covers everything from books bound in human skin to the smallest books in the world. The lavish illustrations help to bring the stories of these bizarre books to life, while the prose is both informative and entertaining. This is definitely a work that will appeal to avid bibliophiles and it would make a great talking point as a coffee table read. A worthy addition to the library of any book enthusiast and your sure to learn something new from its pages.

Amazing. I am a huge reader and I pride myself on having a versatile library. However this book takes it to another level with sought after and strange texts that even myself was amazed. Highly recommend

It's a book about books, it's arranged thematically from cryptic books to religious books to science books... and many more. You might feel yourself 'Oh! So that is how they did it." or "Oh! I didn't know that could exist' when reading this book.
A fascinating topic, but the writing is a bit dry, feels like you're watching a mundane documentary or browsing through an encyclopedia. For some people, it might feel okay but overall I don't really feel pulled into the book. Might work well as a random read as each entry is short and could be standalone.

A very interesting look into books, of all kinds of books, from various parts of history. It was such an interesting read and perfect for anyone curious about how books have changed and appeared in various moments in history and in various parts of the world. I definitely think people who love books will love this!

"The Madman's Library" is an interesting book about various bookish curiosities from all over the world with gorgeous illustrations to back them up. I would totally gift it to a friend or buy it for myself and keep it on my coffee table to browse from time to time!

What a wonderfully wacky book! Filled with hilarious and disturbing anecdotes, richly detailed images, and a variety of book and book-adjacent themes, this would be a perfect addition to any bibliophile’s personal library. I can also see it used in book history courses; it’s very accessible and covers a wide range of topics, from what constitutes a book to how subject matter reflects cultural interests to how to tell stories with unconventional materials to the complex legacies of both cherished and reviled books.

4.5/5: A glimpse into the world of rare books and special collections that includes countless examples throughout human history, including non-Western materials. Plus, the examples provide plan ty of rabbit holes for readers to follow. Any lover of art, literature, history, or material culture will find lots to enjoy. I could definitely use a sequel for some of the content I am sure didn’t make it in this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Absolutely love this book!
The illustrations are stunning.
A wonderful tea-table book to read and to share with friends who love books.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.
This book is a perfect read for someone who wants to dive deeper into the history of books. Along with an extensive insight into how books have evolved over the generations, we get to see and read about the strangest books that have existed till now. Interspersing it with entertaining content, the author has done a remarkable job in captivating our interest throughout the read. The visual presentations complement the text very well and I was yearning for a physical copy.
Not only did it leave me feeling smarter, it also left me with some pride and awe at how extensive and massive the book universe really is.

I would definitely recommend this book for all bibliophiles and would definitely purchase a copy to educate and entertain whoever visits my bookshelf!

I'd offer this book to any book-lover. It's fool of little facts and illustrations about the fascinating history of books of all kind, from books in skin and blood to books with unusual names.

What a fascinating book! Full of wonderful and often puzzling illustrations and photographs, I loved reading about all the varied, curious, odd books that have been created, although I was shocked by the idea of using human skin to bind books. Whilst I was particularly engaged with the first half of the book, I did find it all a compelling read. Thank you to Edward Brooke-Hitching, Net Galley and Chronicle Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Quite a lot of exotic and evocative material here. Readers will be intrigued, whether they wish to delve into the text or just skip among the fascinating imagery.

I never received this book——sorry to say. The cover and description looks fantastic. Can you download it again from the other reviewers it sound great.

I love books on books. This tome will be added to my collection. Between the incredible information and the illuminating illustrations it was a pleasure to read. The authors research brings to light a marvelous menagerie of different types and subjects that were eye opening.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think this is a perfect gift for all bibliophiles, literature enthusiasts, and collectors out there who are intrigued by the unusual, fascinating and history of books/reading. This looks at the history of the bizarre, unusual, and fascinating books and documents in human history. It is well researched and with amazing illustrations to go along.

This title is a beautifully illustrated book about books! Anyone who loves books needs to add this title to their personal collection. I certainly will be. The photos and artifacts pictured were beautifully done as well as the history behind all the "madness" and lengths we will go to read and write. Well done and I cannot wait for my copy!

Totally fascinating and utterly stupendous. This book lists manuscripts and books from as early as 1400 BC and there are pictures, lots of them. There is hardly anything mad about this book but it is amazing how man has always wanted to make a mark in the world.

This will make a great coffee table book. The author has done a massive amount of research and the result shows.

Thanks to Netgalley, Edward Brooke-Hitching, and Chronicle Books for the ARC.

NOTE: I received a free preliminary, and likely unedited copy of this book from Netgalley for the purposes of providing an honest, unbiased review of the material. Thank you to all involved.

I love books like The Madman's Library. I was an avid fan of shows like Unsolved Mysteries and Ripley's Believe or Not! growing up, and quite enjoy these books that you often find at bookstores with all sorts of zany curiosities found within. The Madman's Library is particularly fun because it details all manner of strange books from around the world, ones bound in human skin, ones that serve a secret purpose (like guns or a poison cabinet), and even ones that are a mystery even today (The Voynich manuscript). everything is neatly organized and there are plenty of detailed pictures on every page to showcase every odd edition. One downside to me getting a digital proof was the some of the images were fairly low-res, but I'd like to see one of the finished books in a few months, as I plan to buy this.

I can't say that this is a book you can't live without or anything, but if you are like me and enjoy these weird alt-history books on strange happenings and things, you will love this book. I will have to definitely follow the author to see if anything else like this is produced.

2.5*
This was an interesting read about odd books made throughout history. I like that there is a lot of pictures of the items mentioned included.

This book consists of a few chapters that are focused on different aspects of why books are strange - their size, the materials used to make them, the way they are written, having funny mistakes in them and so on.

This book is very focused on history, so if you usually don't enjoy reading history books in the first place, you probably won't enjoy this one very much. It was very hard to read and follow because of its dense and dry writing. Way too many years and names listed one after another - I got completely lost and bored quite a few times. All those fun and interesting stories about unusual books could be told in much more memorable way.

This book was exactly what it promised. An Encyclopedia of all different and bizarre books. There are books that aren't "books" in the sense we know of them now, books made of flesh and blood, cryptic books, hoaxes, supernatural and religious books, books of different irregular sizes and more. The research that went into this book was apparent and the segway from one example to another was smooth. I really enjoyed this book and took my time reading it, as I really didn't want all of the chapters to blend together. I'd recommend for fans of strange and weird books and those interested in the history of books themselves.

I thank Netgalley for the digital ARC.

This was definitely an interesting subject, but I found that the digital format I viewed it in definitely took away from my enjoyment. It was completely unreadable on Kindle, and even viewed on a computer many of the images were blurry. Perhaps this is more due to my own morbid interests, but I didn't find anything in this book particularly shocking or new. This is definitely a coffee table book to be leafed through on occasion, rather than a book to be read cover to cover—the writing wasn't absorbing enough to sustain my interest.

This was a really interesting book. There's not a whole lot hear that will leave a lasting impression on me, but the experience of reading it was still really fascinating and entertaining. I would definitely recommend this to any of my book lover friends and family.

I love reading about books--books about books are my favorite things. Brooke-Hitching's The Madman's Library is a romp of an addition to the genre that shares gorgeous images and commentary that elicits wonder and laughs. This is some really fascinating examination of the material culture of books.

A beautiful from the cover on.Any lover of book and book curiosities will love this book,I devoured it from cover to cover each unique page.Will be buying for my home& giving as a gift to my book loving friends.#netgalley#chronicleboks,

An interesting collection and discussion of odd and bizarre books. Some that are made from human flesh, some written in blood, some carved into skulls, etc. From thousands of years ago leading up to the present, there are many books that are not printed in a typical fashion. Some are on hides, some are pictographs, some are painted. For those who like to read and learn of historical oddities this book is a perfect addition for your perusal. Interesting images and discussions throughout. Highly recommend this book.

The Madman’s Library by Edward Brooke-Hitching

Sometimes, the content of odd and strange books is surpassed by unusual choices of form and medium. An intriguing early chapter, “Books That Aren’t Books”, examines the many different forms that books have taken as records of communicating histories and ideas; it immediately reminded me of the delightfully varied, creative forms in the book arts genre. The Madman’s Library dives into a subject that’s fun to ponder even if you aren’t a librarian, and this work will entertain and inform readers while inspiring them to pursue further research.
Well researched and informative, the text delivers intriguing historical information and analysis in an accessible tone suitable for general readers. The authors make (primarily European and Asian) connections between human history and the motivations of the authors and makers of unusual books. Those motives range from spiritual, political, magical, and obsessive, with the occasional idiosyncratic personal conceit.
Caveat: know your audience well before purchasing as a gift or for a circulating collection. As the book’s title implies, some of the subject matter may be unsettling. For example, illustrations of a pantsless, anatomically correct demon and a farting contest may earn a rapid page flip from sensitive readers, and this is absolutely not a children’s book. I downloaded this review copy with an older audience in mind, as part of collection development for the art and humanities sections of an academic library. My target audience: faculty and students associated with book arts and humanities courses. That said, I would also enjoy reading aloud part of the “Strange Titles” chapter to friends and family who appreciate humor in historical discussions.

What a wonderful reading this has been! My last in this year and the most appropriate one, for what better choice for a booklover than to read about some book oddities?

It's a marvelous collection of fascinating things and facts, divided into thematic chapters: books that aren’t books, books made of flesh and blood, cryptic books, literary hoaxes, curious collections, works of the supernatural, religious oddities, curiosities of science, books of spectacular sizes and strange titles.

Some I knew about; some were new to me. Some were completely hilarious, most of them made me gawk – humans are a gullible and wacky species.

One of the most amusing parts was from the Portuguese – English dictionary produced by the Portuguese writer Pedro Carolino, in the mid-nineteenth century. Why? Because Carolino didn’t know English at all, so he translated all words into French, based on Portuguese-to-French phrasebook, and then from French to English, based on a dictionary. According to Edward Brooke-Hitching, “Jettisoning all idiomatic nuances, Carolino succeeded in birthing the world’s worst language guide, a mad bag of nonsense […], published in Paris in 1855.” Indeed.

Not to mention the books wrote by dead writers, through a medium. “As luck would have it, the psychic connection seems to be strongest with the great titans of literature, but their skills invariably prove to have rusted somehow post mortem. ‘Strange perversions of style occur,’ the book historian Walter Hart Blumenthal noted dryly in 1955, ‘and lapses into the commonplace, even the maudlin, give rise to the suspicion that the afterlife is not especially stimulating to the literary spirit.’”

The author has a keen sense of humor and his observations are witty and hilarious. The book also features lots of coloured illustrations, making the whole experience of reading it a delight.

All in all, the perfect reading to end the year in high spirit and with lots of laughs.

This was utterly fascinating! I swear I was bookmarking every other page. I am going to be regaling the stories in here to everyone I know.

I’m always apprehensive about whether or not the writing might be too academic when reading a nonfiction text but I’m glad to say that was not at all the case here. I really enjoyed the author’s writing and especially
his sense of humor, which the writing is definitely imbued with. Brooke-Hitching’s did a wonderful job telling the stories behind these curiosities and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book. This is an exceptional coffee table book in my opinion and is most definitely a conversation starter. An engrossing, captivating, and all too amusing read.

I loved this book! This is the perfect coffeetablebook for every booklover out there. I cant wait to get my hands on a physical copy. This book features a fascinating collection of the most unusual books throughout history. I adores browsing to the book and the little facts and remarkable images.

This book is exactly what the title says - it is full of strange, unusual curiosities about books. Some parts were just a bit too strange for me, and the writing was dry. Tons of pictures, interesting visuals, and I learned quite a bit, it just wasn't quite my cup of tea.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This book immediately caught my eye, it had lots of interesting information, and such beautiful colour photos.

As the tagline of this book suggests, it is a collection of "the Strangest Books, Manuscripts and Other Literary Curiosities from History." The book contains many interesting historical tidbits about strange, curiousity-inducing books from the past. While the collection covered is staggering, the information is presented in a very dry manner. I felt like I was reading a documentary rather than reading an captivating ode to the books of the past. The photographs are vast in range and do absolute justice to the book. After a few chapters, I just began flipping through the photographs as I couldn't maintain interest in the writing style. This will be a fabulous book no doubt for those who like to read encyclopaedic tomes but they aren't my cup of tea and I was expecting something else from this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for providing this ARC.