Examines the people, the political and social climates, the civilization and culture of the last decade of the nineteenth century

The 1890's: A Review of Art and Ideas at the Close of the Nineteenth Century (Cresset Library)

Jackson, Holbrook

Arts & Photography

David&Charles

The Fear of Books

Literature & Fiction

History & Criticism

University of Illinois Press

"In the third of his delectable books on books, Holbrook Jackson focuses on the relationship between author and reader, describing reading as "the art of extracting essences from books for our own, not the author's benefit". Books are to be considered not solely as works of art but as one of the means of the art of living. Defining "bookmanship" as the art of adjusting literature to life, Jackson describes reading as a courtship ending in a collaboration. Attentive readers enter into a creative process with their books, integrating the writer's aesthetic observations and designs into their own experiences. Through this exquisite synthesis, books give pleasure by deepening and refining readers' sensibilities and extending the boundaries of their lives. As Jackson says, reading is not a duty, and if it is not a pleasure it is a waste of time. Entertaining as well as instructive, his "books on books" provide inveterate readers with all things needful: vindication, inspiration, cogitation, and delectation."

The Reading of Books

Jackson inspects the allure of books, their curative and restorative properties, and the passion for them that leads to bibliomania ("a genial mania, less harmful than the sanity of the sane"). His commentary addresses why we read, where we read (on journeys, at mealtimes, on the toilet -- this has "a long but mostly unrecorded history"--In bed, and in prison), and what happens to us when we read. He touches on bindings, bookworms, libraries, and the sport of book hunting, as well as the behavior of borrowers, embezzlers, thieves, and collectors. Francis Bacon, Anatole France, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Leigh Hunt, Marcel Proust, Ralph Waldo Emerson, William Shakespeare, and scores of other luminaries chime in on books and their love for them.

The Anatomy of Bibliomania

Many of the best books ever written have been destroyed by kings, priests, or committees terrified of the printed word. "The Fear of Books" examines the violence, destruction, and suppression that have hounded books throughout their history and the fears that lead to such treachery. This marvelous dissection of the antipathies ignited by books identifies three deeply seated fears: fear of insurrection, fear of blasphemy, and fear of pornography. In response to such fears, whole libraries have been burned, drowned, ripped to shreds, or locked away. As Jackson reveals, most books have been feared because someone else loved them - or thought they would assist love (Jackson devotes special attention to the aphrodisiac power of books and the steps taken to counteract it).'It is to the glory of books', Jackson says, 'that ignorance and fanaticism are their enemies'. Layering his own thoughts on the subject with the words of others, Jackson deals with self-righteous censors, snobs, powermongers, tyrants, and jealous spouses who declare war on the books their companions take to bed. Roundly skewering the false demons of obscenity, profanity, depravity, and perversion, "Fear of Books" upholds books as the soul and beacon of genuine human decency.

Business & Money

Praeger

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. 
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. 
Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. 
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The Anatomy Of Bibliomania

History

Franklin Classics

An unmitigated delight for any bibliophile, Holbrook Jackson's "Anatomy of Bibliomania" is the cornerstone of his indispensable trio of books on 'the usefulness, purpose, and pleasures that proceed from books'. "The Anatomy of Bibliomania" begins at the beginning, when books first started to appear, and gives book lovers the solace and company of book lovers from ancient Rome, the Renaissance, and the Romantics. Jackson inspects the allure of books, their curative and restorative properties, and the passion for them that leads to bibliomania ('a genial mania, less harmful than the sanity of the sane'). With deliciously understated wit, he comments on why we read, where we read - on journeys, at mealtimes, on the toilet (this has 'a long but mostly unrecorded history'), in bed, and in prison - and what happens to us when we read. He touches on bindings, bookworms, libraries, and the sport of book hunting, as well as the behavior of borrowers, embezzlers, thieves, and collectors. Francis Bacon, Anatole France, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Leigh Hunt, Marcel Proust, Ralph Waldo Emerson, William Shakespeare, and scores of other luminaries chime in on books and their love for them. Unlike most manias, bibliomania is an ennobling affliction, worth cultivating, improving, and enjoying to its heights and depths. Entertaining as well as instructive, "The Anatomy of Bibliomania" is a book no book lover - and certainly no bibliomaniac - can afford to be without.

The anatomy of bibliomania

Octagon Books

The eighteen nineties: A review of art and ideas at the close of the nineteenth century

Humanities Press

The Eighteen Nineties: A Review of Art and Ideas at Close on 19th Century

Scholarly Pr

Anatomy of Bibliomania

Ams Pr Inc

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