The Enemies of Books is a book written by William Blades that discusses the various threats that books face and the measures that can be taken to protect them. The book was first published in 1880 and has since become a classic in the field of bibliophilia.Blades starts by introducing the concept of book preservation and why it is important. He then goes on to describe the different types of damage that books can suffer, such as water damage, insect damage, and damage from light and heat. He also discusses the dangers of bookbinding materials that contain acid and how they can harm books over time.The book is divided into chapters that address specific threats to books. For example, there is a chapter on bookworms and how to prevent them from eating away at the pages. There is also a chapter on bookbinding and how to choose the best materials for preserving books.Throughout the book, Blades provides practical advice on how to care for books and prevent damage. He also includes anecdotes and historical examples to illustrate his points. For example, he tells the story of a medieval book that was saved from destruction by being buried in the ground for centuries.Overall, The Enemies of Books is a valuable resource for anyone who loves books and wants to keep them in good condition. It is a fascinating look at the history of book preservation and a reminder of the importance of protecting our literary heritage.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.