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Double Fold

Libraries and the Assault on Paper (Vintage)

By Nicholson Baker

(2)

| Paperback | 9780375726217

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Book Description

The ostensible purpose of a library is to preserve the printed word. But for fifty years our country’s libraries–including the Library of Congress–have been doing just the opposite, destroying hundreds of thousands of historic newspapers and replacing them with microfilm copies thaContinue

The ostensible purpose of a library is to preserve the printed word. But for fifty years our country’s libraries–including the Library of Congress–have been doing just the opposite, destroying hundreds of thousands of historic newspapers and replacing them with microfilm copies that are difficult to read, lack all the color and quality of the original paper and illustrations, and deteriorate with age.

With meticulous detective work and Baker’s well-known explanatory power, Double Fold reveals a secret history of microfilm lobbyists, former CIA agents, and warehouses where priceless archives are destroyed with a machine called a guillotine. Baker argues passionately for preservation, even cashing in his own retirement account to save one important archive–all twenty tons of it. Written the brilliant narrative style that Nicholson Baker fans have come to expect, Double Fold is a persuasive and often devastating book that may turn out to be The Jungle of the American library system.

Critics

  • Paper wars

    Double Fold: Libraries and the Assault on Paper Nicholson Baker (Vintage, £7.99) Settle yourself in for the long haul when reading Double Fold . This isn't because it is a long or boring book. It is because just about every paragraph will make you wi ... (read full critics)

    guardian.co.uk published on Sat, 25 Sep 2010

  • How technology became the librarian's false friend

    People have been worried about the durability of paper since the 15th century. Indeed, the whole purpose of bookbinding for 1,000 years back before that was to protect and preserve the text. Librarians have never forgotten, should never forget, that ... (read full critics)

    spectator published on Fri, 17 Sep 2010

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Book Details

  • Rating:
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  • English Books
  • Paperback 384 Pages
  • Edition: Vintage
  • ISBN-10: 0375726217
  • ISBN-13: 9780375726217
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Pub date: Apr 09, 2002
  • Also available as: Hardcover
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ISBN Edition List Sale Seller
9780375726217 Paperback $14.00 $10.87 bn.com
-- $11.99 ebooks.com
$15.00 $11.25 The Book Depository
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