A Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books (signed by the author).
New York: Henry Holt & Company, 1996. First Owl book edition. Cloth over Boards w/Dust Jacket. Octavo, pp. xvi, 638, indexed, signed boldly on the half-title by author, 55 b/w illustrations. As New in As New DJ. Item #1071
The first of Basbanes' studies on "bookdom," that has become a cult book. A celebration of books and the people who have revered, gathered and preserved them over the centuries. The first part of the book discusses the roots of collecting knowledge and building libraries, and then moves on to emphasize book lore and culture in Great Britain and North America. The second part offers a gallery of profiles of living collectors and present examinations of the great contemporary stories. Should be in the library of anyone who has ever owned (or just read) a book!
Price: $50.00