Book Makers

"This is the story of one hundred years of British publishing over the twentieth century. Iain Stevenson looks at how the publishing industry grew from a small elite trade to a world-class business of enormous cultural influence. There are studies of the key figures like William Heinemann, Allen Lane, Paul Hamlyn and Robert Maxwell, but also lesser-known but often significant figures whose contributions were also vital. Organised chronologically by decade, it considers not only fiction and general trade publishing, but also academic, scientific, children's, technical, and professional publishing. This is a fascinating tale of creative genius, individual endeavour, occasional duplicity and far-sighted vision that over the century made British book publishing so influential and still underlies its role today. Enlivened with the author's own experiences in the publishing industry, it is a stimulating account especially for anyone concerned with publishing, books and reading who wants to know how British books became so successful throughout the world."--BOOK JACKET.