John Thompson is professor of sociology at Jesus College, University of Cambridge.

Preface to the Second Edition vi
Preface to the First Edition viii
Introduction 1
1 The Growth of the Retail Chains 26
2 The Rise of Literary Agents 59
3 The Emergence of Publishing Corporations 101
4 The Polarization of the Field 147
5 Big Books 188
6 Extreme Publishing 223
7 Shrinking Windows 238
8 The Wild West 292
9 The Digital Revolution 313
10 Trouble in the Trade 377
Conclusion: Facing an Uncertain Future 403
Appendix 1 Selected Imprints of the Main Publishing Corporations 410
Appendix 2 Note on Research Methods 415
Bibliography 425
Index 430