A Passion for Books [Hardcover]

Leading writers and critics, including Margaret Drabble, Alan Sillitoe and Ferdinand Mount, share their passion for books and the joys of reading in an inspiring collection of essays and writings. A Passion for Books is both a celebration of the value and importance of reading and a spirited defence against the many gloomy voices in our so-called electronic age who say the book will soon be obsolete. This book, itself a joy to read, is written for anyone who cares at all about the past and future of books and reading.Preface Acknowledgements Notes on the Contributors PART ONE: CONTEMPORARY TRENDS The Pleasure of Reading; J.Epstein Other Worlds to Inhabit; J.Bayley Casaabon's Syndrome, or Reader Rampant; F.Mount Books in My Life; G.T.Tanselle PART TWO: BOOKS OF OUR OWN Hooked...; N.King Mountains and Caverns; A.Sillitoe Obsessed by Thomas Mann; J.Meyers Encountering Philip Larkin; D.Salwak Devouring of the Printed Page; A.Thwaite Discovering Jane Eyre ; C.Peters The Radiant Way and After; M.Drabble Reading My Father; M.Gordon Into Terra Nova: A Crossing with Books; L.L.Nagy Sine Qua Non; F.H.Bachelder The Performer and the Reader; M.Ellis PART THREE: FUTURE CONCERNS Literature Without Books? L.Lerner The Sad Demise of the Personal Library; J.Shapiro The Future of the Academic Book; G.Davies The End of the Book? Some Perspectives on Media Change; E.L.Eisenstein Related Works Index

Good browsing material and a terrific source for anyone called upon to pontificate about books and reading. - Booklist

Book enthusiasts will find this collection... both familiar and reassuring, while younger readers will find much here to inspire them to pursue what could become a lifelong passion for the printed word. - Kirkus Reviews

FRANCES H. BACHELDER Poet, non-fiction author, concert pianist and teacher for over forty yearsJOHN BAYLEY Leading critic, author of numerous books including 5 novels and former Fellow and Tutor at New College, OxfordGILlƒ˜