The Business of Books

The Business of Books traces the transformation of American publishing from the 1940s through the early 2000s. Schiffrin draws on his decades of experience in the industry, including his time as head of Pantheon Books and founder of The New Press. The book documents major shifts in how books are acquired, edited, marketed and sold, with particular focus on the impact of corporate consolidation. Through specific examples and insider accounts, Schiffrin examines how publishing houses changed when they were purchased by large media conglomerates. Publishing decisions increasingly centered on profit margins and market research rather than literary or social value. Schiffrin details how this affected which books reached readers, which authors received contracts, and how ideas circulated in American society. The work stands as both industry history and cultural critique, raising questions about the relationship between commerce and intellectual life. The narrative suggests that changes in publishing practices have consequences for democracy and public discourse.

Readers found this memoir provided an inside look at publishing industry changes from the 1960s through 1990s. The personal accounts of Schiffrin's time at Pantheon and The New Press resonated with those interested in book publishing history. Liked: - Detailed examples of corporate consolidation's impact - Clear explanation of how profit demands affect editorial decisions - Historical context for changes in literary publishing - Behind-the-scenes perspective on major publishing houses Disliked: - Some viewed it as overly nostalgic for past publishing models - Several readers felt it was too focused on the author's grievances - Critics noted a lack of proposed solutions - Limited perspective beyond high-end literary publishing Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (21 reviews) "A sobering look at how corporate ownership has transformed publishing" - Goodreads reviewer "Important history but sometimes reads like a personal vendetta" - Amazon reviewer

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🔹 André Schiffrin ran Pantheon Books for 28 years before founding The New Press, demonstrating how independent publishing could thrive while maintaining high editorial standards 🔹 The book reveals how five major conglomerates came to control 80% of American book publishing by the early 2000s, fundamentally changing how books are selected and marketed 🔹 Schiffrin's father had fled Nazi-occupied France and founded Éditions de la Pléiade, later establishing Pantheon Books in New York as a home for European intellectuals in exile 🔹 The author helped introduce many significant writers to American readers, including Günter Grass, Michel Foucault, and Art Spiegelman's "Maus" 🔹 When published in 2000, the book sparked intense debate in the publishing industry about the balance between commercial success and cultural responsibility in book publishing