November 2023 MBR The Writing/Publishing Shelf

The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Among Friends
Buz Teacher, editor
Janet Bukovinsky Teacher, editor
Two Tree Press
https://twotreepress.com
9780578325804, $200.00, HC, 576pp

https://www.amazon.com/Among-Friends-Illustrated-Publishing-Bookselling/dp/0578325802

Synopsis: Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Buz and Janet Teacher, "Among Friends: An Illustrated Oral History of American Book Publishing and Bookselling in the 20th Century" is a 576-page deluxe, hand-numbered volume -- a collectible edition limited to a single printing of 1600--pays homage to the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of the book business in the 20th century.

In fond recollections of the book titles that have helped shape our culture, and the people and companies behind them including more than 100 prominent figures in publishing and bookselling who recall their careers from the postwar period through the independent publishing revolution of the 1960s and '70s to the new millennium.

Profusely illustrated throughout with original photography of vintage book jackets, archival photos and period graphics from Publishers Weekly, "Among Friends" reveals how the book business both reflected and responded to massive societal changes.

The contributors to "Among Friends" includes: Tom Borders, Carolan Workman, Peter Kindersley, Jane Friedman, Dick Snyder, Chip Gibson, Daniel Halpern, Clyde Anderson, Jim Chandler, David Cully, John Sargent, Betty Prashker, Bruce Harris, John Cassidy, Lloyd Kahn, Joni Evans, Nan Talese, Esther Margolis, Sally Richardson, Constance Sayre, Jean Feiwel, David Godine, Jack Romanos, Nigel Newton, Robert Haft and Gary Hoover.

Critique: This large format (10.1 x 3.2 x 12.4 inches, 8.6 pounds) hardcover edition of "Among Friends: An Illustrated Oral History of American Book Publishing and Bookselling in the 20th Century" is a unique, seminal, exceptional, and massively informative contribution to 20th Century publishing history. Extraordinarily informed and informative, "Among Friends" is highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university Writing/Publishing collections -- and an ideal pick for a community or academic library Memorial Fund acquisition.

Editorial Note #1: Buz Teacher (https://www.huffpost.com/author/buz-teacher) co-founded and was CEO of Running Press from 1972 to March 2003. During that time, the company had more than 100 employees, published 220 new titles each year under the Running Press, Miniature Editions, Courage, and Running Press Kids imprints, and distributed their books worldwide. Under his leadership, Running Press produced five New York Times hardcover bestsellers, including the photo-essay book Sisters, which was on the hardcover bestseller list for more than 63 weeks. Buz is currently a consultant in the publishing industry, and a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania Press. He is a longtime active board member of the Children's Crisis Treatment Center in Philadelphia, as well as a member of the Solebury Township Historic Architecture Review Board. He has served as an expert witness for other publishers involved in various legal issues concerning book publishing.

Editorial Note #2: Janet Bukovinsky Teacher is a former magazine writer and editor. Her titles are listed at https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL3823440A/Janet_Bukovinsky_Teacher

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review