Irrepressible Reformer: A Biography of Melvil Dewey [Paperback]

Wayne A. Wiegand (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Finally, Melvil Dewey fully revealed, in entertaining prose, built on rigorous and deep historical scholarship. This is the definitive biography we've missed for so long. It tells the story of an American archetype?a man imbued with the inventive curiosity, sexism, anti-Semitism, racism, type-A control-freakishness, and reform zeal so characteristic of the power brokers of his time and his nation. The result is a masterpiece of history. It appropriately bears the imprint of the library association he founded and nurtured and which was enlisted for years to coconspire to cover up the darker side of the old boy. Wiegand's (a Dewey historian) penetrating, provocative interpretations add to the readability and pleasure of this fine biography, even his highly arguable view that the persistence of Dewey's design for librarianship means it "will likely remain a marginal profession." To this member of the small club of holders of jobs Dewey once held, it is obvious that Wiegand's work can be used to make the opposite case as well: that it was Dewey who gave librarianship any hope at all of becoming central to modern American society. Either way, you should own and read this brilliant, comprehensive study of the biased crackpot genius to whom we librarians owe so much.?John Berry, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Although best known as the creator of the Dewey decimal classification, Melvil Dewey was involved in a wide range of causes, such as the metric and spelling reform movements. While head of the New York State Library, he was also responsible for education in the state as Regent's Secretary. He was the founder of the Lake Placid Club, the largest private club in the U.S. at the turn of the century. In librarianship, he was one of the founders of the American Library Association and was instrumental in initiating formal library education and in the compilation of the A.L.A. Catalog, which Booklist was created to update. Wiegand gives equal coverage to all those interests. Unlike earlier biographers, he doesn't stint on reporting on Dewey's anti-Semitism, his problems with women, and his convoluted business dealings. But exasperating as Dewey was to all who knew him, his ideas still impact librarianship today. Sandy Whiteley

Product Details

• Paperback: 444 pages
• Publisher: ALA Editions (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 083890680X
• ISBN-13: 978-0838906804
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #799,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well researched book on Melvil Dewey, March 16, 2001

By 

John Kniesner (Bellaire, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Irrepressible Reformer: A Biography of Melvil Dewey (Paperback)

The author, Wayne Wiegand, has written the definitive book on Melvil Dewey. He tells us how Dewey accomplished so much in his lifetime. We also learn of some of the less than admirable qualities of Dewey. I found the following parts fascinating: the rise and fall of the Lake Placid Club; his difficult time at Columbia College; riding his bicycle to work on a regular basis; his ownership of Library Bureau; and the development of the Dewey Decimal System. I really felt that I knew Melvil Dewey after reading this book. The author relates the successes and the frustrations of Dewey. No one has had a greater impact on librarianship in the English speaking world than Melvil Dewey. I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn about Dewey. The author is to be commended for a truly outstanding biography!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Biography, May 22, 2007

By 

Babsie - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Irrepressible Reformer: A Biography of Melvil Dewey (Paperback)

A very informative biography of Melvil Dewey. Full of fascinating facts and interestingly written, I highly recommend this title, especially to those in the library world.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for research paper, May 23, 2009

By 

Leighanne Young "Leighanne" (Columbus, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Irrepressible Reformer: A Biography of Melvil Dewey (Paperback)

I had to write a research paper on Dewey for my MLS. This was a great source. It gives a lot of detailed information about his life.