Guarded by Dragons: Encounters with Rare Books and Rare People

Once upon a time, rare book collectors had to rely on bold and brilliant professional vetted antiquarian book dealers to help them unearth treasures for their libraries. Then came abebooks owned by Amazon and the 20,000 amateur “rare booksellers” now ubiquitous online. If you have an interest in the rare book trade of yesteryear, where handshake deals were the rule, when building a book collection actually meant visiting a book shop or a book fair, you’ll love this book. The stories told here by the Great Gekoski have magic to them and he is a wizard at cleverly telling tales about the people who live for the intoxicating smell of old paper. American book collectors will particularly learn a lot by devouring the contents of this basket of goodies. Five stars.

Rick Gekoski is an American who has lived in Great Britain for more than fifty years. He has built a substantial career in buying and selling rare and unusual books Guarded By Dragons reads in places like a valedictory address as he considers retirement, but that doesn't mean it isn't full of intriguing anecdotes and amusing details about his adventures in the book trade. I enjoyed this book as much as I did his earlier work Nabokov's Butterfly (original British title Tolkien's Gown.)I'm a book lover and I'm happy to have been able to build a substantial library over the years, including some collectible and autographed volumes of which I'm particularly proud. I will never be in league with Gekoski or his customers in buying books for tens of thousands of dollars, but I enjoy reading stories about them. I appreciate the sound advice Gekoski gives to collectors, particularly in his criticisms of the way online bookdealers can mislead and outright distort. But most of all I just enjoy reading about Gekoski's adventures, such as the anxious moments he spent worrying that nine first editions of Ulysses had been lost by an airline. I've never met Rick Gekoski, but I consider him a friend whose books I shall enjoy dipping into many times.

I found this a really enjoyable read, the author has a great narrative style, the pace and tone of the story telling (in so much as you can discern tone) seems really right and it was an engaging read for me.One possible caveat is that I am intrigued by the world of rare and antiquarian book dealing, it is one of those realms like finance, that I think is largely only well known to its long time participants, who do not generally seek to share much about their trade with outsiders.I really enjoyed this book for what it had to reveal about that world, I dont think I could personally break into it. I'm not sure if many people can who do not have the fortune of inheriting collections of antiquarian books themselves or the (often huge) amounts of money required to purchase the books required to be able to publish lists for the interests of potential buyers.Still, it was really great to read about the criteria by which the value of books are determined, not entirely a subjective matter of the value the potential buyer may confer on a particular title. The number, letter, limited print runs. Indeed it was interesting how the author described setting up business as a publisher, how publishers could determine how many books are produced, including information in a later chapter about Victor Gollancz publishing house, science fiction and a back catalogue of the Left Book Club.Some of the content about authentication, counterfeits, historic thefts or loses of books which then eventual make their way on to the marketplace was great too, as was much of the information about key characters and personalities (the dragons of the title maybe). Including authors who did not want to sign their works as they felt it was defacing a book or obsessive types and grudges.Very readable, especially if you like the topic of rare and antiquarian books. I think I share the views of the author that books can provide an enjoyment beyond their content, although I dont think I would ever want to own any of the books with plates or ornate illustrations that they mentioned as loving themselves.

This is one of the best, most informative and pleasurable books- about- books I've ever read. It's essential reading for both dealers and collectors. I cannot recommend it too highly.Clive Hirschhorn

Beautifully written, full of humour and intrigue. Who would have thought the world of rare books was so funny and interesting? A really good read.

Arrived quickly, good price but described as NEW, poorly packed, crushed corners and large piece of clear packing tape across front cover.

Delivered with care and attention to detail ahead of due date