Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen The Library – A Fragile History

Famed across the 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 this, the first major history of its kind, leading and award-winning experts Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen explore the contested and dramatic history of the library, from the famous collections of the ancient world to the embattled public resources we cherish today. ‘A sweeping, absorbing history, of that extraordinary and enduring phenomenon: the library’ Richard Ovenden, author of Burning the Books