Ambitious and wide-ranging, this is the first single volume to tell the story of the library as a distinct building type, all around the world and from the beginnings of writing to the present day. In its highest form the library is a total work of art, combining painting, sculpture, furniture and architecture. From their designs for the libraries of ancient Rome to those of the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, architects have sought to outdo each other by producing ever more spectacular settings.

The author and photographer have travelled the globe, documenting some eighty libraries. Architectural historian James Campbell contributes an authoritative and highly readable account. Will Pryce is one of the world’s leading photographers of interiors and architecture. Arresting and technically flawless, his photographs are both lucid and deeply atmospheric.

这是**本将图书馆作为一种独特的建筑类型进行介绍的单卷本。介绍的图书馆来自世界各地，涵盖了文字诞生之初到现在。档次最高的图书馆将油画、雕塑、家具和建筑风格结合在一起，完全可以算得上一件艺术品。从古罗马的图书馆的设计到巴黎国家图书馆的设计，建筑师们试图通过创造更加壮观的环境来超越对方。

作者和摄影师环游世界，记录了约80座图书馆。建筑历史学家詹姆斯•坎贝尔（James Campbell）提供了权威且可读性很强的介绍。威尔•普赖斯（Will Pryce）是全球领先的室内和建筑摄影师之一。他拍摄的照片清晰，且**感染力，不仅吸引眼球，而且在技术上无懈可击。