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The Last Bookseller: A Life in the Rare Book Trade,Used
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A wry, unvarnished chronicle of a career in the rare book tradenow in paperbackWhen Gary Goodman wandered into a rundown, usedbook shop that was going out of business in East St. Paul in 1982, he had no idea the visit would change his life. He walked in as a psychiatric counselor and walked out as the stores new owner. In The Last Bookseller Goodman describes his sometimes desperate, sometimes hilarious career as a used and rare book dealer in Minnesotathe early struggles, the travels to estate sales and book fairs, the remarkable finds, and the bibliophiles, forgers, book thieves, and book hoarders he met along the way.Here we meet the infamous St. Paul Book Bandit, Stephen Blumberg, who stole 24,000 rare books worth more than fifty million dollars; John Jenkins, the Texas rare book dealer who (probably) was murdered while standing in the middle of the Colorado River; and the eccentric Melvin McCosh, who filled his dilapidated Lake Minnetonka mansion with half a million books. In 1990, with a couple of partners, Goodman opened St. Croix Antiquarian Books in Stillwater, one of the Twin Cities regions most venerable bookshops until it closed in 2017. This store became so successful and inspired so many other booksellers to move to town that Richard Booth, founder of the book town movement in HayonWye in Wales, declared Stillwater the First Book Town in North America.The internet changed the book business forever, and Goodman details how, after 2000, the internet made stores like his obsolete. In the 1990s, the Twin Cities had nearly fifty secondhand bookshops; today, there are fewer than ten. As both a memoir and a history of booksellers and book scouts, criminals and collectors, The Last Bookseller offers an ultimately poignant account of the used and rare book business during its final Golden Age.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Last Bookseller'? A: The main theme of 'The Last Bookseller' is the evolution and challenges of the rare book trade, illustrated through the author's personal journey and experiences as a used and rare book dealer.
- Q: Who is the author of 'The Last Bookseller'? A: The author of 'The Last Bookseller' is Gary Goodman, who shares his insights and anecdotes from his career in the rare book trade.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book is bound in hardcover, providing durability and a classic presentation.
- Q: How many pages are in 'The Last Bookseller'? A: The book contains 200 pages, offering a concise yet comprehensive look at the rare book trade.
- Q: When was 'The Last Bookseller' published? A: The book was published on December 7, 2021.
- Q: Is 'The Last Bookseller' a memoir or a history? A: 'The Last Bookseller' serves as both a memoir of Gary Goodman's career and a historical account of the used and rare book business during its final Golden Age.
- Q: What key events does the author discuss in the book? A: The author discusses significant events such as his experiences with notorious figures in the book trade, the rise of the internet, and the impact on traditional bookstores.
- Q: Is 'The Last Bookseller' suitable for someone new to the book trade? A: Yes, 'The Last Bookseller' is suitable for newcomers as it offers insights into the book trade through engaging stories that are easy to understand.
- Q: What is the significance of the St. Croix Antiquarian Books mentioned in the book? A: The St. Croix Antiquarian Books was a successful bookshop opened by Goodman and his partners, which played a crucial role in the local book-selling community until its closure in 2017.
- Q: Can I expect any humor in 'The Last Bookseller'? A: Yes, the book contains a mix of wry humor and poignant reflections, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.