The Thames and Hudson Manual of Bookbinding (Thames and Hudson Manuals (Paperback))

Rating:
Summary: A "Must Have" Book for the Serious Bookbinder
Review: Of the many popular books in print today on bookbinding, this one is by far the most comprehensive. It reads like a graduate level textbook and must be studied carefully; it isn't conducive to casual reading. Many of the sentences are difficult to understand and must be thought about for awhile to figure out. Nevertheless, I wouldn't want to undertake a new step in the binding process without first reading what this book has to say. I strongly recommend it for the serious student of bookbinding.

Rating:
Summary: A very good instruction manual
Review: This book describes in clear detail how to properly bind a book for maximum durability. It includes details on case bindings (the easiest and weakest), library bindings (one of the strongest), flexible and sunk-cord bindings (traditional), and limp bindings. Although the author makes much about having the right tools, his descriptions are clear enough that one can improvise. With this book, I was able to make a book from paper, boards, and leather that came out quite well on my first try.