Customer Reviews

America's Library: The Story of the Library of Congress, 1800-2000

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This book presents an interesting overview of 200 years of the Library of Congress. "Overview" describes its strengths and its limitations. It does give a sense of the library's place in our nation's historical timeline. It is a worthwhile read along with Presidents: All You Need to Know to see how major events in the Library's history coincide with the tenure of our presidents and major political and economic developments in our history.

It has the strengths of a good coffee table book. It has attractive photographs that provide readers with a feel for the majesty of the Library's architecture and the look and feel of some of its many books and other documents. It can be read in a hit-or-miss fashion, allowing readers to benefit from whatever they have time to read while waiting by the coffee table for a party or dinner date to begin. My favorite "quick nugget" is the anecdote about one of the Librarians of Congress coming across the last contents of Abraham Lincoln's pockets hidden away in a safe, lost and forgotten for decades. Fascinating stuff!

The book disappoints by lacking the more detailed historical treatment you would expect to find on the bookshelf next to your host's coffee table--or on the hallowed shelves of the Library itself. Some of the past Librarians merit greater attention, more analysis of their motives and machinations. The actions of Congress and influential donors of collections could be further connected to concurrent historical events.

My appetite for Library lore was whetted by this offering, but not sated. If you have a similar yearning for more history after reading this book, I highly recommend moving on to Encyclopedia of the Library of Congress: For Congress, The Nation & The World. This book is a particularly good second course if your tastes extend to a detailed description of the current Library, its collections, administrative organization, and staff of experts. Enjoy!

The American Library of Congress holds over 110 million items - many of them unique and priceless - and this charts the history of the Library and its holdings, from its initial 740-book collection begun in 1800 to its miles of bookshelves today. Vintage photos and illustrations pack a presentation which is a 'must' for any who would understand American book history.