Some of the contributions to this collection are, at least to the modern reader, likely to strike as quaint period pieces. More enduring are Powell's exhortations to ground librarianship in the book. He does not spare those who enter librarianship for merely administrative reasons, or who view the book as a passing fad. Today's librarians would do well to read this critique, and be prepared to argue why he is wrong. More than likely, by their words, they'll merely prove him right. ( )

Lawrence Clark Powell is a man of books. He devoted his entire life to the study, aquisition and true love of the written word. I first learned of Powell in his beautiful essay in Ansel Adams book Photographs of the Southwest. It was so eloquent that I had to find out more. This book is a memoir of Powell's love of books and his career as a top University Librarian. In fact it is quite detailed on Library science. His passion clearly come through in a mind etching relection on his career in the world of books. I think this book should be required reading for anyone interested in library science and becoming a librarian. This book is not for everyone but if you collect books and truly devote your time to loving books then I would highly recommend reading it. Although printed in 1958 it still reads as relevent today as 50 yrs ago. I would compare it to Larry McMurtrys current release Books. ( )

This was a man who knew that a librarian ought to be a tireless and enthusiastic friend of writers. Even though this book is mostly a collection of talks given to professional associations, Dr. Powell didn't let that stop his enthusiasms illuminating every word. He hated what he called "the idea boys and efficiency experts ... who will do everything on earth to a book but read it."