"Leapman successfully presents a balanced and knowledgeable history of the British Library, its formation, and its development, while simultaneously features an astounding mixture of institutional high spots: Gutenberg, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, Caxton, Keats, the Brontes, Lewis Carroll, Kipling, and more. Leapman also surprises readers by highlighting obscure gems, such as Beethoven's tuning fork, the first edition of Mrs. Beeton's "Book of Household Management", and an advertisement for Vaseline. This volume is generously illustrated with crisp images of books, bindings, manuscripts, objects, and portraits of important figures in the institution's history. . . . A treat for bibliophiles and librarians, this volume is also suited to more casual readers interested in English history. Recommended."--R. M. Roberts, Lincoln Land Community College "Choice "
