Description

A New York Times Bestseller
Goodreads Choice Award Winner in History & Biography
One of Time’s 100 Must-Read Books of 2024

“A spirited defense of this important, odd and odds-defying American retail category.” —The New York Times

“It is a delight to wander through the bookstores of American history in this warm, generous book.” —Emma Straub, New York Times bestselling author and owner of Books Are Magic

Evan Friss presents a captivating and affectionate history of the American bookstore, exploring its role as a cornerstone of cultural life. From independent shops to department store book sections, from rare book dealers to bustling chain stores, and from niche community spaces to sidewalk book vendors, this book traces the evolution of bookselling in the United States.

Bookstores hold a unique place in society—not just as retail spaces but as influencers of literature, ideas, and public discourse. They serve as local gathering points while also connecting readers across time and place. Yet, these beloved institutions face significant challenges. In *The Bookshop*, Friss examines what bookstores have meant to readers and what may be at risk of disappearing.

Drawing from oral histories, archival materials, municipal records, personal letters, and conversations with prominent booksellers, Friss provides a rich and detailed account of bookstores throughout American history. The journey begins with Benjamin Franklin’s Philadelphia shop and travels through time to highlight booksellers such as the Strand, Marshall Field & Company in Chicago, the Gotham Book Mart, specialized stores like Oscar Wilde and Drum and Spear, secondhand book vendors, major chains like Barnes & Noble, and modern players like Amazon Books and Parnassus.

Alongside the stories of these businesses, *The Bookshop* introduces the passionate and often eccentric figures behind them, shedding light on how books have been marketed and sold for over two centuries. Readers will even discover a remarkable tale of a 3,000-pound elephant signing books at Marshall Field’s in 1944.

At its heart, *The Bookshop* is a tribute to bookstores and the essential role they play in American life. This engaging and insightful history is a must-read for anyone who cherishes these literary havens and wants to understand their past, present, and future.