Book Makers: British Publishing in the Twentieth Century (hardback)

'[an] excellent and readable history'
Andrew Robinson, History Today

This is the story of British book publishing through the 20th century. It looks at how the industry grew from a small elite trade to a world-class business of enormous cultural influence. There are studies of the key figures such as William Heinemann, Jonathan Cape, Allen Lane, Paul Hamlyn and Robert Maxwell, but also lesser-known but 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 successful, and still underlies its role today. Enlivened with Iain Stevenson's own experiences in the publishing industry, it is essential reading for anyone concerned with publishing, books and reading who wants to know how British books came to dominate the English-speaking world.

Listen to an interview with the author .

About the Author
Iain Stevenson is Professor of Publishing at University College, London. He has worked in publishing for over 30 years including at Longman, Macmillan, Wiley, and The Stationery Office, and was on the council of the Publishers Association. He founded the environmental publisher Belhaven Press, and his current research is centred upon the application of new technology in publishing.