Shelf Life

‘The story of the UK book trade over our lifetimes has been a rollercoaster of constant change. It’s great to see the story of our lives being captured so effectively in Michael’s closely observed history – a great read both for insiders and for social historians too.’ - Philip Downer, Retail Consultant, ex-Chief Executive of Borders UK

‘This is a very fine survey of bookselling in Britain from ancient to modern times, but quite apart from its commendable sweep, what it uniquely combines is the historical account with an invaluable personal perspective from within the modern and contemporary book trade itself.’ - Professor James Raven LittD FBA, Fellow of Magdalene College, Cambridge and book trade historian

'An engaging tour of publishing and bookselling history, enriched by personal anecdotes. Accurately captures industry evolution. Essential for readers and industry newcomers alike.' – Paul Baggaley, Editor-in-Chief, Bloomsbury Publishing

‘Almost all of us read books; some of us write them; either way they are an essential part of our life. Michael Robb describes the perils of this vital business based on years of experience, and shows how independent bookseller can and do still survive in the face of bulldozer of international online retailers. It is a business packed with romance as well as commerce.’ - Simon Heffer, historian, author, journalist and political commentator

‘This book chronicles the fascinating journey and resilience of the UK Book trade. Michael brilliantly proves that it is the passion about books: by authors, publishers, booksellers and readers that make this industry so extraordinary. This should be read by anyone with an interest in books.’ - Adam Hewson, Owner, Hewson Books

‘In Shelf Life, Michael Robb has written a well-researched, informative and entertaining history of the noble art of selling a book. Having been a bookseller myself in the late 1980s and '90s I particularly enjoyed his more detailed and personal history of that time. He also shows the very real impact on the independent bookshops of the particularly aggressive expansion of the bookshop chains. It was an exciting time to be in Dillons and Waterstones, but as these two giants slugged it out quite a few others were caught up, to their cost, in their battles for control of the high street. The age just before the launch of Amazon was a golden age for the high street bookshops but the number of book chains that came and went just shows what volatile time it also was. Michael's book bring back happy memories of that time.’ - Jonathan White, Sales & Marketing Manager, Troubadour Publishing

‘Exactly the book I wish I had had in my hands when I was writing mine! It's a simply written and straightforward account of the history of bookselling in Britain, and the development of British publishing, brought to life by the author's obvious passion for the subject, his warm love of books and his appreciation of the value of reading for the human soul. Full of ideas for the future, and a wake-up call to all of us who worry about the future of our children, when public and school libraries are disappearing before our eyes and screens are ubiquitous. I also enjoyed the discussion of the impact of AI on the industry, which is clearly of concern if we value genuine creativity. Packed full of interesting facts, and interviews and insights from some of the leading players in the industry.' - Sarah Harkness, author of Literature for the People

'A very enjoyable history and survey of the present and the future.' - James Daunt, MD Waterstones, CEO Barnes and Noble.

'A thoughtful and engagingly personal account of the past, present and future of bookselling which is recommended to anyone with an interest in the booktrade - particularly the readers who sustain it.' - DJ Taylor, author and biographer

‘In Shelf Life, Michael Robb gives us 2,000 years of the history of publishing books, shot through with Robb’s own love of reading, before navigating the tempestuous present. We can’t know for sure the next chapter in the history of the book, but Michael Robb’s surging account – from William Caxton to the contemporary high street; from Wynkyn de Worde to the Net Book Agreement – can help us speculate better on the book’s possible futures. I loved reading Shelf Life.’ - Adam Smyth, Professor of English Literature and the History of the Book at Balliol College, Oxford, and author of The Book-Makers: A History of the Book in 18 Remarkable Lives