The Library cover art

The Library

A Fragile History

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Library

By: Andrew Pettegree, Arthur Der Weduwen
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $30.99

Buy Now for $30.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.
Cancel

About this listen

Famed across the known world, jealously guarded by private collectors, built up over centuries, destroyed in a single day, ornamented with gold leaf and frescoes or filled with bean bags and children's drawings - the history of the library is rich, varied and stuffed full of incident.

In this, the first major history of its kind, Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen explore the contested and dramatic history of the library, from the famous collections of the ancient world to the embattled public resources we cherish today. Along the way, they introduce us to the antiquarians and philanthropists who shaped the world's great collections, trace the rise and fall of fashions and tastes, and reveal the high crimes and misdemeanours committed in pursuit of rare and valuable manuscripts.

©2021 Andrew Pettegree, Arthur Der Weduwen (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK Europe Library & Museum Studies Renaissance Social Sciences Words, Language & Grammar
All stars
Most relevant  
The authors have done an excellent job of contextualising the importance of the library through the centuries, lending a sense of general interest to what could otherwise have been a specialist subject.
The concept of the library evolves over the course of the book to the present day, where the relevance of the library is discussed to great effect.

Surprisingly engaging

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.