Throughout the course of our nation's history, the book has been a cornerstone in the shaping of American culture. The fascinating role that books have played in the creation of our nation and society is notably the story of authors, printers, and publishers who have created books. It is also the story of readers who have shaped our culture in response to what they read. Gracing the pages of this book are rare images from the Library of Congress. Clement also offers insightful portraits of the titans of publishing, from Isaiah Thomas and Matthew Carey to Henry Holt, Frank N. Doubleday, and Alfred Knopf.