sarahcoller's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did, but it seemed that for every one interesting bit, there were ten extreme yawners. I think it's possible for an author to give us tooo much information on a subject, and this author is guilty of just that. He gave so much detail on several subjects that they quickly went from intriguing to very dull.
Still, there was quite a lot to think about! I still struggle with the idea that books were stored with the spine in for so many centuries. All the reasons for storing books any way but spine out are just so nonsensical to me. It's hard to believe the space-saving way took so long to catch on!
I thought the Ramelli wheel was genius and it would not be impractical to set a desk beside for scholarly use.
I also did not realize that books weren’t purchased bound in the 17th c. No wonder books were so valued and difficult for the average laborer to afford very many.
Some of the stories about the different ways elite people treated books were pretty disgusting (Humphrey Davy ripping out pages as he read, using books as placemats, etc.). Such a waste to treat books badly---I was always taught to be careful with my books and was grounded from them if I didn't.
Still, there was quite a lot to think about! I still struggle with the idea that books were stored with the spine in for so many centuries. All the reasons for storing books any way but spine out are just so nonsensical to me. It's hard to believe the space-saving way took so long to catch on!
I thought the Ramelli wheel was genius and it would not be impractical to set a desk beside for scholarly use.
I also did not realize that books weren’t purchased bound in the 17th c. No wonder books were so valued and difficult for the average laborer to afford very many.
Some of the stories about the different ways elite people treated books were pretty disgusting (Humphrey Davy ripping out pages as he read, using books as placemats, etc.). Such a waste to treat books badly---I was always taught to be careful with my books and was grounded from them if I didn't.
tony_t's review
informative
medium-paced
4.0
In "The Book on the Book Shelf" i got exactly what I expected - a history of the book and bookshelf by an engineer and historian with a penchant for illuminating and interesting takes on what may seem like mundane topics. Although, for me, this volume wasn't quite as engaging as his "The Pencil" (which I highly recommend) I would still recommend this volume because of the details he includes in the evolution of books, bookshelves, stacks, and libraries and how they co-evolved with the architecture of places set aside for book storage and access.
menfrommarrs's review against another edition
3.0
Lots to learn about the shapes of bookshelves and the libraries that contained them, as the shapes and attitudes toward books changed. Interesting evolution.
mrsbond's review against another edition
5.0
Realized my inner-book-nerd while reading this. This is not so much about what's in the book, more about how the book is constructed, shelved and shared. Despite savoring every page (and rereading the occasional chapter), still feel the need to reread. Totally not what I expected.
amcloughlin's review against another edition
5.0
A deep, charming, worshipful history of the book and the bookshelf. Highly recommended.
bloodravenlib's review
2.0
This is a history of bookshelves, and how people have been organizing books since the time we had books as scrolls. His main argument is that the book shelf evolved as people needed better ways to store and arrange books; it came forth out of necessity. The idea is an intriguing one, and there is a lot that people who love reading about books will probably enjoy. I found the segments on medieval libraries and monasteries to be very interesting. However, the book lost steam for me about halfway down the road. By the time I got to the chapter on moveable and compact shelving, I just wanted for the book to be done already. This last part was a bit on the tedious side. Librarians will likely find something to like in this book as well.
I can say that at least this book was better than his other book on the pencil. That other book I dropped because it was pretty much unreadable. Overall, for people who enjoy reading books about books and reading, I would consider this an optional book.
I can say that at least this book was better than his other book on the pencil. That other book I dropped because it was pretty much unreadable. Overall, for people who enjoy reading books about books and reading, I would consider this an optional book.