Book Makers

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.