In 1450 very few English men or women were personally familiar with a book; by 1850, the great majority of people daily encountered books, magazines or newspapers. This book explores the history of this fundamental transformation, from the arrival of the printing press to the coming of steam. James Raven presents a lively and original account of the English book trade and the printers, booksellers and entrepreneurs who promoted its development. Viewing print and book culture through the lens of commerce, Raven offers a new interpretation of the genesis of literature and literary business in England. He draws on extensive archival sources to reconstruct the successes and failures of those involved in the book trade - a cast of heroes and heroines, villains and rogues. And, through groundbreaking investigations of neglected aspects of book-trade history, Raven thoroughly revises our understanding of the massive popularisation of the book and the dramatic expansion of its markets over the centuries. James Raven is Professor of Modern History, University of Essex. He is the author of numerous studies in cultural history and has published extensively on the history of the book and related topics.