Review of the hardback: 'These three volumes represent the result of much more than the mere study of title-pages and imprints, since it is patently obvious that [the author] has read, analysed, and classified a dauntingly high proportion of the books themselves. As he points out, the annual output grew in this period from approximately 259 volumes published in 1600 to 577 in 1640. From his work we learn much about the actual contents; the different sorts of readers and what was provided for them; the relationships of writers, authorities, and members of the book trade. All this could only have been provided from a thorough knowledge sorts of readers and what was provided from a thorough knowledge of the actual books. This is its great value … This distillation of the author's thorough acquaintance with so many books makes an excellent introduction for those embarking on detailed work in this period. From it, the student will gain not only knowledge of how the book trade functioned, but what kinds of books were written, why, and for whom, besides something of what was in them. But those with longer experience are also practically certain to meet facts and examples previously unknown to them.' Modern Language Review

• Preface; Introduction; 1. The inception of a book; 2. Patronage; 3. The regulation of the book trade; 4. Piracy; 5. Translation and translators; 6. Literacy; 7. The variety of books; 8. Printers, booksellers and readers; Select bibliography; Index.

Review of the hardback: 'These three volumes represent the result of much more than the mere study of title-pages and imprints, since it is patently obvious that [the author] has read, analysed, and classified a dauntingly high proportion of the books themselves. As he points out, the annual output grew in this period from approximately 259 volumes published in 1600 to 577 in 1640. From his work we learn much about the actual contents; the different sorts of readers and what was provided for them; the relationships of writers, authorities, and members of the book trade. All this could only have been provided from a thorough knowledge sorts of readers and what was provided from a thorough knowledge of the actual books. This is its great value … This distillation of the author's thorough acquaintance with so many books makes an excellent introduction for those embarking on detailed work in this period. From it, the student will gain not only knowledge of how the book trade functioned, but what kinds of books were written, why, and for whom, besides something of what was in them. But those with longer experience are also practically certain to meet facts and examples previously unknown to them.' Modern Language Review

• Preface; Introduction; 1. The inception of a book; 2. Patronage; 3. The regulation of the book trade; 4. Piracy; 5. Translation and translators; 6. Literacy; 7. The variety of books; 8. Printers, booksellers and readers; Select bibliography; Index.