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.
54:27
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Quick takeaways
- The pirating of literary works in the late 18th century helped democratize access to literature in France, challenging censorship and monopolistic practices.
- The fierce competition among publishers, driven by limited legal protections and high demand for literature, drastically transformed the pre-Revolutionary book trade landscape.
Deep dives
Transformative Changes in the Book Trade
The landscape of the book trade in the 17th and 18th centuries was marked by significant differences compared to today. During this period, there was no freedom of the press, leading to heavy censorship and a lack of legal copyright, which restricted authors and publishers alike. For instance, publishers faced the obstacle of producing high-quality works with limited financial incentive, as authors rarely received substantial royalties and many lived in poverty. The trade was also characterized by limited liability and a lack of return policies, complicating the financial risks involved for those engaged in book publishing.
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