Skip to Main Content (Press Enter)
The Book on the Bookshelf by Henry Petroski
Add The Book on the Bookshelf to bookshelf
Add to Bookshelf
Read An Excerpt

Look Inside

Read An Excerpt

The Book on the Bookshelf

By Henry Petroski

By Henry Petroski

By Henry Petroski

By Henry Petroski

Best Seller
Paperback $16.95

Sep 12, 2000 | ISBN 9780375706394

Ebook $13.99

Dec 01, 2010 | ISBN 9780307773289

All Formats
+
    The Book on the Bookshelf by Henry Petroski
    Paperback $16.95
    Sep 12, 2000 | ISBN 9780375706394

    Buy from Other Retailers:

    See All Formats (1) +

    Paperback
    –

    • Paperback $16.95

      Sep 12, 2000 | ISBN 9780375706394

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Ebook
    +

    • Ebook

      Dec 01, 2010 | ISBN 9780307773289

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    Buy the Ebook:

    About The Book on the Bookshelf

    From the author of the highly praised The Pencil and The Evolution of Useful Things comes another captivating history of the seemingly mundane: the book and its storage.

    Most of us take for granted that our books are vertical on our shelves with the spines facing out, but Henry Petroski, inveterately curious engineer, didn’t.  As a result, readers are guided along the astonishing evolution from papyrus scrolls boxed at Alexandria to upright books shelved at the Library of Congress. Unimpeachably researched, enviably written, and charmed with anecdotes from Seneca to Samuel Pepys to a nineteenth-century bibliophile who had to climb over his books to get into bed, The Book on the Bookshelf is indispensable for anyone who loves books.

    About The Book on the Bookshelf

    From the author of the highly praised The Pencil and The Evolution of Useful Things comes another captivating history of the seemingly mundane: the book and its storage.

    Most of us take for granted that our books are vertical on our shelves with the spines facing out, but Henry Petroski, inveterately curious engineer, didn’t.  As a result, readers are guided along the astonishing evolution from papyrus scrolls boxed at Alexandria to upright books shelved at the Library of Congress. Unimpeachably researched, enviably written, and charmed with anecdotes from Seneca to Samuel Pepys to a nineteenth-century bibliophile who had to climb over his books to get into bed, The Book on the Bookshelf is indispensable for anyone who loves books.

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    Also by Henry Petroski

    The Essential Engineer
    The Toothpick
    Pushing the Limits
    Small Things Considered
    Paperboy
    See all books by Henry Petroski

    Also by Henry Petroski

    The Essential Engineer
    The Toothpick
    Pushing the Limits
    Small Things Considered
    Paperboy
    See all books by Henry Petroski

    About Henry Petroski

    Henry Petroski is the Aleksandar S. Vesic Professor of Civil Engineering and a professor of history at Duke University, where he also serves as chairman of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The author of more than 15 books,… More about Henry Petroski

    About Henry Petroski

    Henry Petroski is the Aleksandar S. Vesic Professor of Civil Engineering and a professor of history at Duke University, where he also serves as chairman of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The author of more than 15 books,… More about Henry Petroski

    Product Details

    Category: Literary Criticism | Technology

    Paperback | $16.95
    Published by Vintage
    Sep 12, 2000 | 304 Pages | 5-3/16 x 8 | ISBN 9780375706394

    Category: Literary Criticism | Technology

    Ebook | $13.99
    Published by Vintage
    Dec 01, 2010 | 304 Pages | ISBN 9780307773289
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

    Praise

    "For anyone interested in the craft of reading, [this book] is a compulsive necessity." —The New York Times Book Review

    "A fascinating history of two related common objects, impeccably documented and beautifully illustrated." —Civilization

    "After reading this book, you will not look at a book or a bookshelf in the same way." —Seattle Times

    "If ‘God is in the details,’ then those seeking God should read Petroski’s books." —Library Journal

    Looking for More Great Reads?
    21 Books You’ve Been Meaning to Read
    Get the latest updates about Henry Petroski
    And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week.
    And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week.
    By clicking SIGN UP, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and understand that Penguin Random House collects certain categories of personal information for the purposes listed in that policy, discloses, sells, or shares certain personal information and retains personal information in accordance with the policy. You can opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information anytime.
    Dismiss
    Thanks!
    Something awesome is on its way.
    Back to Top

    Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network

    Raise kids who love to read

    Raise kids who love to read

    Today's Top Books

    Want to know what people are actually reading right now?

     An online magazine for today’s home cook

    An online magazine for today’s home cook