A Passion for Books

Nineteen original essays make up this indispensable guide for anyone who is interested in the past and future of books and the publishing industry. This book is intended as both a celebration of the value and importance of reading and a spirited defense against the many gloomy voices in our so-called electronic age that say the book will soon be obsolete. The essays explore how books shape and nourish our lives; why readers turn to books in the era of cyberspace; whether the book has a future; and the many issues that concern academic publishers who are trying to preserve the book.