New Books in Economic and Business History

Robert Darnton, "Pirating and Publishing: The Book Trade in the Age of Enlightenment" (Oxford UP, 2021)

Dec 29, 2024
Robert Darnton, Professor emeritus at Harvard, is a leading expert in book history and the French Revolution. In this discussion, he delves into the vibrant yet cutthroat book trade of the late 18th century, showcasing how piracy flourished in the 'Fertile Crescent' as publishers smuggled banned works by renowned authors like Rousseau and Voltaire into France. He examines the complexities of intellectual property, censorship, and how the democratization of literature reshaped public engagement, ultimately paving the way for Enlightenment ideas in a rapidly evolving society.
Ask episode
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes