A Splendor of Letters:
The Permanence of Books in an Imperfect World
By: Nicholas A. Basbanes
A Review
Deanna Day
Basbanes, Nicholas A. A Splendor of Letters: The Permanence of Books in an Impermanent World. New York: Harper Collins, 2003.
ISBN: 0-06-008287-9 (acid free paper)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2003047821
Factual
In this volume, the author concludes his trilogy of books that celebrate books and the bibliophiles who love them. An unrepentant devotee of the printed word, Mr. Basbanes began his series in 1995, focusing on “book people” in A Gentle Madness and then following up in 2001 with an in-depth look at “book places” in Patience and Fortitude (Basbanes xvii). In this final edition, Basbanes brings the discussion full circle, concentrating on the issues of preservation and the challenges facing books and book lovers in today’s society, and presenting them against an expansive backdrop of ‘book history.’
The book opens with an 18 page preface, followed by ten chapters and a final summation aptly entitled, “Proper Passage: A Coda.” Totaling 444 pages, the book includes a detailed Notes section, Bibliography, List of Author’s Interviews, and Index.
The flow of the text is not disrupted by the inclusion of footnotes or parenthetical citations. Instead, when the reader wishes to obtain detail about a particular quote or topic, they can simply look it up by chapter and page in the very thorough and extensive Notes section. According to the author, the book “draws substantially from [his] personal interviews” which are cross referenced in the Notes and listed in the Bibliography (Basbanes 369). Biographical information is contained in the body of the text and is located in the index. Detailed information about the Sources referenced in the Notes section will be found in the Bibliography.
Each chapter opens with a thought-provoking quotation that sets the stage for the topics that follow. For example, the chapter entitled, “Ex Libris Punicis” (literally “from the library of the Punicis,” an extinct civilization), opens with a quote from a Holocaust diary (93).
Unlike the other volumes in the trilogy, this book does not include any photographs or illustrations. And, though the typeface is unknown, it appears to be slightly smaller than 12 point and features a serif.
In his preface, Mr. Basbanes refers to a famous passage in Areopagitica, where John Milton argued that books are the “precious lifeblood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life” (qtd. in Basbanes xiv). According to the author, “this is the conviction that forms the central premise of the book (xiv).
Threats to the written word, whether by malicious intent or intentional de-selection, are discussed in depth, as are the contemporary challenges posed by the computer, electronic publishing and the internet.
Critique
According to Basbanes, the title of the book was taken from an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson on the eternal power of writing called the “splendor of letters” (5). As the title infers, the book celebrates the permanence of books, against all odds, in a highly impermanent world.
Following the tradition of A Gentle Madness and Patience and Fortitude, A Splendor of Letters is a book written by and for a bibliophile. However, this volume will be of special interest to historians, preservationists and archivists of the written word because of its emphasis on preservation and history of the printed word.
Excellent research coupled with extraordinary personal interviews clearly illustrates just how perilous and uncertain the future is for the printed word. Despite man’s best efforts to prepare for posterity, writings must persevere against the ravages of willful destruction, mutilation, obsolescence and deterioration. Each of the chapters examines an action that often leads to the loss of the “last copy” of a work. The writer, an excellent wordsmith, utilizes pithy plays-on-words for some chapter titles, injecting a wry commentary into often depressing circumstances. One example, noted earlier, “Ex libris Punicis”, was used to discuss the threat imposed by governments who conquer by depriving people of their heritage and cultural legacy (Basbanes 93). Throughout this chapter are the horrific stories of peoples and cultures that had been targeted for annihilation yet instinctively fought to preserve their heritage and written word. Examples include relentless attempts to re-establish libraries by exiled Jews during the reign of Nazi Germany and diaries written by holocaust victims buried in milk cans beneath their concentration camps.
“Shelf Life” is a discourse on the issue of de-accessioning, while “Into Thin Air” examines the age of the computer and the dichotomy of paper disintegrating into the air as ashes versus its effusion into the air of ‘cyberspace.”
“From the Ashes” recounts the malicious obliteration of libraries and artifacts in Bosnia, Louvain, Sarajevo, Cambodia, Tibet and during the 1795 Division of Poland. In addition to attacks on libraries and the “destruction of cultural” memory, thousands of irreplaceable objects were destroyed and historic buildings flattened in a process described as “culturecide” (Basbanes 136). Because a culture’s entire history was wiped out during these atrocities, libraries around the world began searching their own collections for duplicates that could be sent to aid in the rebuilding efforts of the blighted communities. In an ironic twist of fate, what often rose from the ashes was not a printed book, but a digital facsimile. Sadly, some of these devastated communities were not in a position to manipulate or maintain the electronic media being offered.
For budding or professional archivists or historians, the book is a treasure trove of information on the variety of media used for transmitting the written word. From golden disks and marble, papyrus scrolls and palimpsests, to parchment and paper, A Splendor of Letters, provides a detailed description of how each are made, the shortcomings, and, when possible, methods for preservation. Brittle paper is discussed at length, as well as the push by authors and publishers to convert to acid free papers.
Aside from being an admitted booklover, Mr. Basbanes holds a Masters of Arts degree and is a former award winning investigative reporter and literary editor, as well as published author. Luckily, he is adept at weaving the results of his numerous interviews into compelling narrative or the broad scope of the subject and volume of information would have been overwhelming. This talent allowed him to present a host of preservation and historical information, including methodology and terminology definitions, without becoming pedantic.
Basbanes assures us that every new development in the world of print has been met with skepticism and the belief that it would be the end of literature. In fact, he relates the story of a medieval monk named Johannes Trithemius, who strongly urged his fellow monks not to give up copying simply because the printing press had been invented. Interestingly, the argument issued by Trithemius was printed rather than copied for distribution (316).
It is obvious that Basbanes has misgivings about the influence of e-books, and digital resources on literature and the written word. And, his statistics, circa 2003, seem to support his theory that e-books are not yet ready for prime-time. It seems likely that public opinion has shifted since this book was originally published. The inclusion of new data would likely change the dynamics of the author’s argument.
Recommendation
Despite the author’s discomfiture with e-books and digital publishing, this book is full of fascinating information on a variety of subjects related to the history, preservation, and transcendence of the printed word. Perhaps the most striking revelation that the reader comes away with is the uncertain journey that the printed word faces in its quest for immortality. As noted, the stories recounted in Basbanes’ interviews emphasize the precariousness of book preservation and would be of interest to a wide variety of “book people” as well as preservationists and historians.
His detailed examination of preservation challenges and solutions will engross the experienced archivist, and provide insight into the profession for the novice or student. Of particular benefit to the student of library science, archiving or history, is the review of the history of the printed word as well. Students will also benefit from the definitions provided for little used terminology such as palimpsests or xylograph.
Academic libraries will find this book to be suitable for purchase in support of a variety of liberal arts disciplines. The book is also highly recommended for Universities offering special printing programs such as the Rochester Institute of Technology, California Polytechnic, or Pittsburg (KS), University. Corporate libraries sponsored by companies with an interest in printing or print distribution such as Kodak® or Xerox® should also make this book a part of their special library.
And, because there are bibliophiles in every community, public libraries of any size should consider purchasing this book for the enjoyment and enlightenment of their patrons.
The Permanence of Books in an Imperfect World
By: Nicholas A. Basbanes
A Review
Deanna Day
Basbanes, Nicholas A. A Splendor of Letters: The Permanence of Books in an Impermanent World. New York: Harper Collins, 2003.
ISBN: 0-06-008287-9 (acid free paper)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2003047821
Factual
In this volume, the author concludes his trilogy of books that celebrate books and the bibliophiles who love them. An unrepentant devotee of the printed word, Mr. Basbanes began his series in 1995, focusing on “book people” in A Gentle Madness and then following up in 2001 with an in-depth look at “book places” in Patience and Fortitude (Basbanes xvii). In this final edition, Basbanes brings the discussion full circle, concentrating on the issues of preservation and the challenges facing books and book lovers in today’s society, and presenting them against an expansive backdrop of ‘book history.’
The book opens with an 18 page preface, followed by ten chapters and a final summation aptly entitled, “Proper Passage: A Coda.” Totaling 444 pages, the book includes a detailed Notes section, Bibliography, List of Author’s Interviews, and Index.
The flow of the text is not disrupted by the inclusion of footnotes or parenthetical citations. Instead, when the reader wishes to obtain detail about a particular quote or topic, they can simply look it up by chapter and page in the very thorough and extensive Notes section. According to the author, the book “draws substantially from [his] personal interviews” which are cross referenced in the Notes and listed in the Bibliography (Basbanes 369). Biographical information is contained in the body of the text and is located in the index. Detailed information about the Sources referenced in the Notes section will be found in the Bibliography.
Each chapter opens with a thought-provoking quotation that sets the stage for the topics that follow. For example, the chapter entitled, “Ex Libris Punicis” (literally “from the library of the Punicis,” an extinct civilization), opens with a quote from a Holocaust diary (93).
Unlike the other volumes in the trilogy, this book does not include any photographs or illustrations. And, though the typeface is unknown, it appears to be slightly smaller than 12 point and features a serif.
In his preface, Mr. Basbanes refers to a famous passage in Areopagitica, where John Milton argued that books are the “precious lifeblood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life” (qtd. in Basbanes xiv). According to the author, “this is the conviction that forms the central premise of the book (xiv).
Threats to the written word, whether by malicious intent or intentional de-selection, are discussed in depth, as are the contemporary challenges posed by the computer, electronic publishing and the internet.
Critique
According to Basbanes, the title of the book was taken from an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson on the eternal power of writing called the “splendor of letters” (5). As the title infers, the book celebrates the permanence of books, against all odds, in a highly impermanent world.
Following the tradition of A Gentle Madness and Patience and Fortitude, A Splendor of Letters is a book written by and for a bibliophile. However, this volume will be of special interest to historians, preservationists and archivists of the written word because of its emphasis on preservation and history of the printed word.
Excellent research coupled with extraordinary personal interviews clearly illustrates just how perilous and uncertain the future is for the printed word. Despite man’s best efforts to prepare for posterity, writings must persevere against the ravages of willful destruction, mutilation, obsolescence and deterioration. Each of the chapters examines an action that often leads to the loss of the “last copy” of a work. The writer, an excellent wordsmith, utilizes pithy plays-on-words for some chapter titles, injecting a wry commentary into often depressing circumstances. One example, noted earlier, “Ex libris Punicis”, was used to discuss the threat imposed by governments who conquer by depriving people of their heritage and cultural legacy (Basbanes 93). Throughout this chapter are the horrific stories of peoples and cultures that had been targeted for annihilation yet instinctively fought to preserve their heritage and written word. Examples include relentless attempts to re-establish libraries by exiled Jews during the reign of Nazi Germany and diaries written by holocaust victims buried in milk cans beneath their concentration camps.
“Shelf Life” is a discourse on the issue of de-accessioning, while “Into Thin Air” examines the age of the computer and the dichotomy of paper disintegrating into the air as ashes versus its effusion into the air of ‘cyberspace.”
“From the Ashes” recounts the malicious obliteration of libraries and artifacts in Bosnia, Louvain, Sarajevo, Cambodia, Tibet and during the 1795 Division of Poland. In addition to attacks on libraries and the “destruction of cultural” memory, thousands of irreplaceable objects were destroyed and historic buildings flattened in a process described as “culturecide” (Basbanes 136). Because a culture’s entire history was wiped out during these atrocities, libraries around the world began searching their own collections for duplicates that could be sent to aid in the rebuilding efforts of the blighted communities. In an ironic twist of fate, what often rose from the ashes was not a printed book, but a digital facsimile. Sadly, some of these devastated communities were not in a position to manipulate or maintain the electronic media being offered.
For budding or professional archivists or historians, the book is a treasure trove of information on the variety of media used for transmitting the written word. From golden disks and marble, papyrus scrolls and palimpsests, to parchment and paper, A Splendor of Letters, provides a detailed description of how each are made, the shortcomings, and, when possible, methods for preservation. Brittle paper is discussed at length, as well as the push by authors and publishers to convert to acid free papers.
Aside from being an admitted booklover, Mr. Basbanes holds a Masters of Arts degree and is a former award winning investigative reporter and literary editor, as well as published author. Luckily, he is adept at weaving the results of his numerous interviews into compelling narrative or the broad scope of the subject and volume of information would have been overwhelming. This talent allowed him to present a host of preservation and historical information, including methodology and terminology definitions, without becoming pedantic.
Basbanes assures us that every new development in the world of print has been met with skepticism and the belief that it would be the end of literature. In fact, he relates the story of a medieval monk named Johannes Trithemius, who strongly urged his fellow monks not to give up copying simply because the printing press had been invented. Interestingly, the argument issued by Trithemius was printed rather than copied for distribution (316).
It is obvious that Basbanes has misgivings about the influence of e-books, and digital resources on literature and the written word. And, his statistics, circa 2003, seem to support his theory that e-books are not yet ready for prime-time. It seems likely that public opinion has shifted since this book was originally published. The inclusion of new data would likely change the dynamics of the author’s argument.
Recommendation
Despite the author’s discomfiture with e-books and digital publishing, this book is full of fascinating information on a variety of subjects related to the history, preservation, and transcendence of the printed word. Perhaps the most striking revelation that the reader comes away with is the uncertain journey that the printed word faces in its quest for immortality. As noted, the stories recounted in Basbanes’ interviews emphasize the precariousness of book preservation and would be of interest to a wide variety of “book people” as well as preservationists and historians.
His detailed examination of preservation challenges and solutions will engross the experienced archivist, and provide insight into the profession for the novice or student. Of particular benefit to the student of library science, archiving or history, is the review of the history of the printed word as well. Students will also benefit from the definitions provided for little used terminology such as palimpsests or xylograph.
Academic libraries will find this book to be suitable for purchase in support of a variety of liberal arts disciplines. The book is also highly recommended for Universities offering special printing programs such as the Rochester Institute of Technology, California Polytechnic, or Pittsburg (KS), University. Corporate libraries sponsored by companies with an interest in printing or print distribution such as Kodak® or Xerox® should also make this book a part of their special library.
And, because there are bibliophiles in every community, public libraries of any size should consider purchasing this book for the enjoyment and enlightenment of their patrons.
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