THE LIBRARY A Fragile History

The warm rumble of Sean Barrett's sonorous voice pairs beautifully with this noteworthy history of libraries from ancient clay tablets to today's computers. Accessible and erudite, the audiobook is perfect for lovers of history, libraries, and literature. Admittedly, it is long and filled with complex sentences. But Barrett's expert pacing transforms them into models of clarity full of such fascinating factoids as library membership increased after workdays shortened in the nineteenth century and the papyrus scrolls in ancient Alexandria's famed library were probably rotting long before the building was destroyed. It's remarkable and heartening that--amid so much sacking, burning, and neglect, and so many earthquakes, floods, and insects--libraries have survived. May they continue to adapt and endure forever. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2021]