Sign-In
Cart
Books: Their Place in a Democracy
Hardcover
Literary CriticismBusiness of WritingGeneral Political Science
ISBN13: 9781025311142
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 242
Weight: 1.14
Height: 0.56 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Books: Their Place in a Democracy explores the vital role of the printed word in the functioning and maintenance of a democratic society. R. L. Duffus examines the intricate relationship between the publishing industry, library systems, and the reading public during a pivotal era in American cultural development. The work delves into the practical challenges of book distribution and the social necessity of making literature accessible to all citizens to ensure a well-informed and engaged electorate.
Duffus provides a detailed analysis of how books serve as essential tools for education, personal growth, and social progress. By investigating the economics of the book trade and the expansion of public libraries, the author highlights the systemic barriers to literacy and the collective efforts required to overcome them. This study remains a significant historical document for those interested in the sociology of reading and the evolution of the American literary landscape. It offers a compelling argument for the importance of a robust literary culture in maintaining the health and vitality of a free nation, emphasizing that the availability of ideas is the bedrock of democratic life.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
1 different editions
Also available
Also in
Business of Writing
Take It from Me: An Agent's Guide to Building a Nonfiction Writing Career from Scratch
Habib, Alia Hanna
Hardcover
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need
Brody, Jessica
Paperback
The Modern Guide to Querying Literary Agents: From Rejection to Representation in 8 Steps
Matesic, Alyssa
McDonald, Patrick
Paperback
Wonderbook (Revised and Expanded): The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction
VanderMeer, Jeff
Paperback
Bookstores of the World: The Ultimate Around-The-World Tour for Bibliophiles and Bookshop Lovers (Deluxe Oversize Edition)
Sorel, Patricia
Mollier, Jean-Yves
Hardcover
The Eye: How the World's Most Influential Creative Directors Develop Their Vision
Williams, Nathan
Hardcover
Art of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis in the Creative Interpretation of Human Motives
Egri, Lajos
Paperback
Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer's Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book
Maum, Courtney
Paperback
Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel: The Ultimate Guide to Writing a YA Bestseller
Brody, Jessica
Paperback
The Complete Expert-To-Author Guide: Plan, Write, and Publish Your Nonfiction Book
Solis, Marisa
Dougherty, Elizabeth
Hardcover
The Design of Books: An Explainer for Authors, Editors, Agents, and Other Curious Readers
Berne, Debbie
Paperback
Writing Past Dark: Envy, Fear, Distraction, and Other Dilemmas in the Writer's Life
Friedman, Bonnie
Paperback
Getting It Published, Fourth Edition: A Guide for Scholars and Anyone Else Serious about Serious Books
Germano, William
Paperback
The Subversive Copy Editor: Advice from Chicago (Or, How to Negotiate Good Relationships with Your Writers, Your Colleagues, and Yourself)
Saller, Carol Fisher
Paperback
Empire of the Elite: Inside Condé Nast, the Media Dynasty That Reshaped America
Grynbaum, Michael M.
Paperback
That Book Is Dangerous!: How Moral Panic, Social Media, and the Culture Wars Are Remaking Publishing
Szetela, Adam
Hardcover
Create Your Writer Platform: The Key to Building an Audience, Selling More Books, and Finding Success as an Author
Sambuchino, Chuck
Paperback
How to Submit: Getting Your Writing Published with Literary Magazines and Small Presses
Sweeney, Dennis James
Paperback
The Lively Art of Writing: Words, Sentences, Style and Technique--An Essential Guide to One of Todays Most Necessary Skills
Payne, Lucile Vaughan
Paperback
AI Ink.: Writing, Publishing, and Misinformation at the Dawn of the AI Age
Van Tatenhove, Jason
Hardcover
Write, Edit, Publish: What Every Writer Needs to Know but Only an Editor Will Tell You
Totten, Michael J.
Paperback
Imagine a Door: A Writer's Guide to Unlocking Your Story, Choosing a Publishing Path, and Honoring the Creative Journey
Stanfill, Laura
Paperback
Make Your Manuscript Work: A Guide to Developmental Editing for Scholarly Writers
Portwood-Stacer, Laura
Paperback
Tough Love for Indie Authors: An Honest Look at What It Takes to Win in Self-Publishing
Barnum, Keri-Rae
Collins, Amy
Paperback
The Art Of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis In The Creative Interpretation Of Human Motives
Egri, Lajos
Hardcover
Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook: Hands-On Help for Making Your Novel Stand Out and Succeed
Maass, Donald
Paperback
Write Fearless. Edit Smart. Get Published.: A Master Class for Fiction Writers
Mangum, Lisa
Paperback
Making Cartonera Books: Experiences in Cardboard Book Publishing
Carneiro, Daniele
Rocha, Juliano
Paperback
Developmental Editing, Second Edition: A Handbook for Freelancers, Authors, and Publishers
Norton, Scott
Paperback
Books That Should Never Exist: A Coloring Book of the Best Worst Book Ideas Ever
Al, Microcosm Pub Et
Paperback
That Book Is Dangerous!: How Moral Panic, Social Media, and the Culture Wars Are Remaking Publishing
Szetela, Adam
Paperback
Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks, Second Edition: A Guide to Academic Publishing Success
Belcher, Wendy Laura
Paperback
Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed the Publishing Industry and American Literature
Sinykin, Dan
Paperback
The Dissertation-To-Book Workbook: Exercises for Developing and Revising Your Book Manuscript
Knox, Katelyn E.
Van Deventer, Allison
Paperback
Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author
Halpern, Lucinda
Paperback
The Book Bible: How to Sell Your Manuscript--No Matter What Genre--Without Going Broke or Insane
Shapiro, Susan
Paperback
First Hundred Million: How To Sky Rocket Your book Sales With Slam Dunk Titles
Haldeman-Julius, E.
Paperback
Promote Your Book: Spread the Word, Find Your Readers, and Build a Literary Community
Whitney, Eleanor C.
Paperback
How to Write a Bestseller: An Insider's Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction for General Audiences
Mazzeo, Tilar J.
Paperback
Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published
Erasmus, Estelle
Paperback
Write Your Novel in a Month: How to Complete a First Draft in 30 Days and What to Do Next
Gerke, Jeff
Paperback
The Look of the Book: Jackets, Covers, and Art at the Edges of Literature
Mendelsund, Peter
Alworth, David J.
Hardcover
Women in Independent Publishing: A History of Unsung Innovators, 1953-1989
Anderson, Stephanie
Paperback
Kickstarter for Authors, 2nd Edition: Empowering Writers to Fund and Flourish
Sharp, Anthea L.
Paperback
Wide for the Win: Strategies to Sell Globally via Multiple Platforms and Forge Your Own Path to Success
Lefebvre, Mark Leslie
Paperback
The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need to Know About Selling Your Book to an Agent or Publisher in Thirty Minutes or Less
Howard-Johnson, Carolyn
Paperback
The Art Of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis In The Creative Interpretation Of Human Motives
Egri, Lajos
Paperback
Wait One Minute: 15 Hard Truths the Self-Publishing Business Doesn't Tell Authors
Alford, Keyimani
Hardcover
How to Self-Publish a Children's Picture Book using Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Russ-Ayon, Angela
Paperback
Creating Your Picture Book Dummy: A Layout Guide for 32, 40, & 48 Page Picture Books - Paperback Edition
Likes, Kelley M.
Paperback
The Writer's Roller Coaster: Survival Strategies for the Wild, Emotional Ride to Publication
Thorpe, Betsy
Paperback
Get Your Book Seen and Sold: The Essential Book Marketing and Publishing Guide
Wolk, Claudine
Murkette, Julie
Paperback
The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published: How to Write It, Sell It, and Market It . . . Successfully
Sterry, David Henry
Eckstut, Arielle
Paperback
Funny You Should Ask How to Self-Publish a Book: Getting Your Book Out There on Amazon and Beyond
Culwell, Lori
Paperback
45 Master Characters: Mythic Models for Creating Original Characters
Lynn Schmidt, Victoria
Paperback
The Author's Atlas: The Ultimate Roadmap for Writing, Publishing, and Marketing a Successful Book
Wilson, Jim
Paperback
Ideas, Influence, and Income: Write a Book, Build Your Brand, and Lead Your Industry
Hall, Tanya
Hardcover
Love in the Time of Self-Publishing: How Romance Writers Changed the Rules of Writing and Success
Larson, Christine M.
Hardcover
The Poet's Guide to Publishing: How to Conceive, Arrange, Edit, Publish and Market a Book of Poetry
Stoykova, Katerina
Paperback
All the Knowledge in the World: The Extraordinary History of the Encyclopedia
Garfield, Simon
Paperback
Write the Damn Book Already: Tell Your Story. Share Your Message. Make Your Impact.
Lyons, Elizabeth
Paperback
The No Bullsh*t Guide to Writing (& Selling) Your First Book: An Author's Hustle
Defonzo, Alicia
Paperback
The Self-Publishing Roadmap: Everything You Need to Know About Becoming an Indie Author
Robbins, Jenna Rose
Stratton, Sara
Hardcover
Writing & Selling Short Stories & Personal Essays: The Essential Guide to Getting Your Work Published
Harris, Windy
Paperback
Published by the Author: Self-Publication in Nineteenth-Century African American Literature
Sinche, Bryan
Hardcover
General Printing: An Illustrated Guide to Letterpress Printing
Pitkin, Charles W.
Cleeton, Glen U.
Paperback
Animal Writes: Prompts and Practices to Guide the Animal Writer's Journey
Raymond, Midge
Yunker, John
Paperback
How to Get Happily Published, Fifth Edition: Complete and Candid Guide, a
Appelbaum, Judith
Paperback
Get a Literary Agent: The Complete Guide to Securing Representation for Your Work
Sambuchino, Chuck
Paperback
Taking the Short Tack: Creating Income and Connecting with Readers Using Short Fiction (Second Edition)
Dalrymple, Matty
Lefebvre, Mark Leslie
Paperback
Love in the Time of Self-Publishing: How Romance Writers Changed the Rules of Writing and Success
Larson, Christine M.
Paperback
Do Not Write a Book...Until You Read This One: The Only Guide You Need to Pen, Publish, and Profit from Your Nonfiction Book
McGowen-Hawkins, Bridgett
Berthiaume, A. Y.
Hardcover
A People's Guide to Publishing Workbook: Build Your Book Business from the Ground Up
Biel, Joe
Paperback
Published by the Author: Self-Publication in Nineteenth-Century African American Literature
Sinche, Bryan
Paperback
How to Be Your Own Literary Agent: An Insider's Guide to Getting Your Book Published
Curtis, Richard
Paperback
How to Self-Publish Your Book: A Complete Guide to Writing, Editing, Marketing & Selling Your Own Book
Yager, Jan
Paperback
The Writer: A Guide to Research, Writing, and Publishing in Biblical Studies
Gupta, Nijay K.
Hardcover
Roadmap to Publishing Children's Books: A Step-by-Step Guide from Idea to Publication
Aleksandrova, Diana
Paperback
Promote Your Book Workbook: Spread the Word, Find Your Readers, and Build a Literary Community
Whitney, Eleanor C.
Paperback
The Frugal Book Promoter - 3rd Edition: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher
Howard-Johnson, Carolyn
Paperback
The Authorpreneur Handbook: How Writing a Book Can Create an Abundant Life for Marginalized Writers
Yarber, Angela
Paperback