“It has always been my experience that, whatever groupings I choose for my books, the space in which I plan to lodge them necessarily reshapes my choice and, more important, in no time proves too small for them and forces me to change my arrangement. In a library, no empty shelf remains empty for long. Like Nature, libraries abhor a vacuum, and the problem of space is inherent in the very nature of any collection of books.”
This work delves into the nature of libraries as places of refuge, memory, and human ingenuity. Through personal reflection and cultural history, the author examines how libraries have shaped human thought across civilizations, addressing their architectural forms, their role in preserving forbidden or endangered texts, and the intimate act of reading within their walls. The book traverses different cultures and eras, considering both ancient accumulations of clay tablets and modern digital archives, to presents libraries not merely as repositories of printed matter but as living institutions that reflect the values and aspirations of the societies that create them. more
Alberto Manguel, born in 1948, is a renowned writer from Argentina. His works span various literary forms, including novels, essays, and translations, and are known for their unique style and profound insights into human culture. more
“A man enjoys the happiness he feels, a woman the happiness she gives.”
“The trouble with unknown enemies is that they are so difficult to identify.”
“Humor is an excellent method of keeping a tight rein on unproductive displays of emotion.”