André Schiffrin

André Schiffrin (1935-2013) was an influential American book publisher and founder of The New Press who spent three decades as editor-in-chief of Pantheon Books. He was widely regarded as a champion of serious literary works and politically progressive publishing, bringing important European authors to American audiences. During his tenure at Pantheon, Schiffrin published works by Jean-Paul Sartre, Günter Grass, Michel Foucault, and Simone de Beauvoir, among many others. His departure from Pantheon in 1990, following pressure to focus on more commercial titles, became a notable moment in publishing history and sparked industry-wide discussions about the corporatization of book publishing. He authored several books examining the state of the publishing industry, including "The Business of Books" (2000) and "Words and Money" (2010), which offered critical analyses of corporate consolidation in publishing. After leaving Pantheon, he established The New Press in 1990 as a non-profit publishing house dedicated to works of social and cultural importance. Schiffrin's influence extended beyond American publishing through his early years in Paris and his connections to European intellectual circles. Born to a publishing family that fled Nazi-occupied France, his background informed his commitment to publishing works that addressed political and social issues.

Readers praise Schiffrin's insider perspective on publishing industry changes, particularly in "The Business of Books." Many appreciate his detailed accounts of corporate takeovers and their impact on independent publishing. A frequent comment highlights his firsthand knowledge from running Pantheon Books. Readers found value in: - Clear explanations of publishing economics - Historical documentation of industry transformation - Personal anecdotes about working with major authors Common criticisms: - Writing style can be dry and academic - Some readers found sections repetitive - Limited solutions offered for problems described On Goodreads, "The Business of Books" maintains a 3.9/5 rating from 115 reviews. Amazon reviews average 4.2/5 from 28 reviewers. One reader noted: "Valuable history, but needed more concrete alternatives." Another commented: "Essential reading for understanding how conglomerate ownership changed publishing." "Words and Money" receives fewer reviews but similar ratings, with readers particularly noting its analysis of digital publishing's impact. Most critical reviews focus on its dense economic details rather than its core arguments.

A Political Education (1971) Memoir of growing up as the son of a Jewish publisher in Vichy France before emigrating to the United States.

The Business of Books: How International Conglomerates Took Over Publishing and Changed the Way We Read (2000) Analysis of the transformation of publishing from a cultural enterprise to a profit-driven industry, drawing from Schiffrin's experiences at Pantheon Books.

Words and Money (2010) Examination of the economic forces affecting book publishing, newspapers, and other media in the digital age.

Dr. Seuss & Co. Go to War: The World War II Editorial Cartoons of America's Leading Comic Artists (2009) Collection and analysis of wartime cartoons by Theodor Geisel and other prominent artists who created propaganda during World War II.

Publishing Without Walls (2011) Account of the founding and operation of independent publisher The New Press, with discussion of alternative publishing models.

Michael Korda worked as editor-in-chief at Simon & Schuster and wrote about publishing industry experiences. His memoir "Another Life" covers similar territory to Schiffrin's "The Business of Books" regarding the transformation of American publishing.

Jason Epstein co-founded the Library of America and wrote about the evolution of book publishing from the 1950s onward. His book "Book Business" examines many of the same industry changes that Schiffrin analyzed in his work.

Alberto Manguel focuses on the history of reading and libraries from both personal and analytical perspectives. His works share Schiffrin's interest in how books shape culture and democracy.

Robert Darnton studies the history of books and their role in society, particularly in France. His research on publishing history and intellectual culture parallels Schiffrin's concerns about corporate control of ideas.

Lewis Hyde examines cultural commons and the relationship between commerce and creativity. His analysis of art and commerce intersects with Schiffrin's critique of market forces in publishing.