
The Library
A Fragile History
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Narrated by:
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Sean Barrett
Perfect for book lovers, this is a fascinating exploration of the history of libraries and the people who built them, from the ancient world to the digital age.
Famed across the known world, jealously guarded by private collectors, built up over centuries, destroyed in a single day, ornamented with gold leaf and frescoes, or filled with bean bags and children’s drawings - the history of the library is rich, varied, and stuffed full of incident. In The Library, historians Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen introduce us to the antiquarians and philanthropists who shaped the world’s great collections, trace the rise and fall of literary tastes, and reveal the high crimes and misdemeanors committed in pursuit of rare manuscripts. In doing so, they reveal that while collections themselves are fragile, often falling into ruin within a few decades, the idea of the library has been remarkably resilient as each generation makes - and remakes - the institution anew.
Beautifully written and deeply researched, The Library is essential for booklovers, collectors, and anyone who has ever gotten blissfully lost in the stacks.
©2021 Andrew Pettegree, Arthur der Weduwen (P)2021 Basic BooksListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
"What is a ‘library’? Is it a mute display of personal wealth and power, or of a humble devotion to God? A routine community resource, or a waste of taxpayers’ money? In The Library, we are led nimbly through the centuries, seeing how it has been all of these things and more, as the authors place on the shelf a cornucopia of bookish history." (Judith Flanders, author of A Place for Everything)
"A sweeping, absorbing history, deeply researched, of that extraordinary and enduring phenomenon: the library." (Richard Ovenden, University of Oxford)
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The authors made an interesting choice about the Library of Alexandria, due to the fact that much of the history of this library has been lost, along with the library itself - the authors do not dwell on this particular library but use its modern re-foundation as a jumping off point to discuss libraries around the world, their histories and challenges. At the end of the history the authors then bring their attention back to this new library in Alexandria and what libraries mean to the world civilizations that found and care for them.
A Brief Intellectual History of the Western World
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Excellent narration as well. The technical audio quality is a bit thin and pixelated, which is really not ideal. Yet the narrator's consistently calming, wise, grandfatherly voice is eventually addictive, as if you're listening to a favorite professor who has endless hours to share great stories with you.
I'm not usually this gushingly positive about a book, but this one was truly unique. I'm going to buy the hard cover too -- from a used bookstore, not from Mr Bezos -- just to add to my personal library, which the authors have inspired me to cherish and develop. Plus I'll be visiting my local libraries a lot more -- now that I know how these unsung miracles fit into human civilization, and the cosmos.
Highly recommend this title.
Amazing -- Deeply Intriguing
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Stays on point
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All-Encompassing View of Libraries in Society
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Interesting History
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Terrible Narration
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