Overview

The enemies of books is a reflective and historical examination of the many forces that have led to the destruction of humanity's written heritage. Through vivid accounts and detailed analysis, the work explores how books have been threatened by fire, water, neglect, ignorance, and prejudice. The opening focuses on the devastation caused by fire, recalling tragic events such as the burning of the Library of Alexandria and the Great Fire of London, where countless manuscripts and literary treasures were lost forever. These accounts serve not merely as history but as a lament for civilization's fragile relationship with knowledge. Blades emphasizes that the loss of books represents a loss of human thought, imagination, and cultural continuity. His observations expand beyond physical causes to include human carelessness and indifference, suggesting that the greatest threat to literature often lies in neglect rather than catastrophe. The narrative is both scholarly and passionate, urging readers to value and protect the written word as a vital part of intellectual and cultural preservation.

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William Blades was an English printer and bibliographer born in Clapham, London, to a family engaged in the printing trade. He was apprenticed to his father's printing business in 1840 and later became a partner in the firm, known as Blades, East & Blades. His fascination with the craft of printing led him to study the works of William Caxton and the origins of English printing, resulting in his renowned publication The Life and Typography of William Caxton, England's First Printer. Through meticulous research, Blades analyzed hundreds of early printed volumes, tracing the development of types and techniques that defined the birth of English printing. His most celebrated work, The Enemies of Books, published in 1880, reflected his deep concern for the preservation of literary heritage and the dangers posed by neglect and ignorance. Blades played a significant role in organizing the Caxton Celebration of 1877 and advocated for the founding of the Library Association. Upon his death in 1890, his personal library became the foundation of the St Bride Foundation's collection, preserving his legacy as a pioneering bibliographer.

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