Product Details

Collection Management

...the best and most readable all-purpose survey history of western libraries that has ever been produced....

Paul Sturges

Themes are well identified and discussed: detail of places, persons and dates is provided in appropriate quantity. The chronological balance of the book is, as ever, a judicious one, with nearly half devoted to ancient and medieval libraries.

Library Journal

This latest update is a succinct and readable account of the development of libraries within the context of Western civilization. Divided as before into three sections covering the ancient world, the medieval period, and the modern era, Harris's account is well organized and informative. This edition includes recent developments such as the reunification of Germany. The European treatment emphasizes Britain, France, Italy, and Germany, with little mention of Scandinavia, Iberia, or eastern Europe except Russia. U.S. libraries form the bulk of the American chapters, with nods to Canada and Latin America. The text is expanded from the 1984 compact edition (Professional Reading, LJ 8/84) but is shorter than the 1976 third revised edition; the typography is much improved. There are good reading lists for each chapter but no footnotes or complete bibliography. Recommended.-Elizabeth Brice, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, Ohio

Booknews

Surveys the libraries of ancient, Medieval, and modern times. Substantially revised from the 1976 third edition (first in 1965) to incorporate the new history of books, the electronic advances in communication, and the political changes in Europe since the late 1980s. The bibliographies are also updated to reflect current thinking about both the past and the current significance of libraries. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents