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Two recent monographs address distinct but interrelated aspects of China's modern publishing industry. The interplay between intellectuals and the state, the transformation of the publishing industry via foreign knowledge, and the modification of Chinese social, cultural, and legal practices by evolving approaches to the production and distribution of knowledge are among the themes of modern Chinese history common to both studies. Researchers of book culture, publishing and printing history, cultural history, the history of media and popular culture, or intellectual history will find these books valuable. This essay discusses the following works. Robert Culp. The Power of Print in Modern China: Intellectuals and Industrial Publishing from the End of Empire to Maoist State Socialism. Studies of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University. New York: Columbia University Press, 2019. 371 pp. $65.00 (cloth). | Fei-Hsien Wang. Pirates and Publishers: A Social History of Copyright in Modern China. Histories of Economic Life Series. Studies of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2019. 350 pp. $39.95 (cloth). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Istros Publishing House of the “Carol I” Museum of Brăila has made available to readers interested in the field of book history an imposing “comprehensive volume” (848 pages), bearing the signature of historian and bibliologist Doru Bădără, on the occasion of reaching the age of 70. Renowned specialist in the field of old books and the history of Romanian printing, PhD in the Middle History of Romania, Mr. Doru Bădără has a rich publishing activity. The Foreword and the Word from the Publishing House belong to the friend and former schoolmate, the university professor PhD Ionel Cândea. In the volume edited by Niculae Ravici-Tătăranu, 80 articles and studies published between 1980-1919 are reproduced, mostly representing the texts of the papers presented at various scientific events which were initially printed in well-known scientific periodicals. In general, his subjects were inspired by the rich old book collection of the Central University Library in Bucharest, where Mr. Bădără has worked without interruption since 1972 and until now; since 2001, as head of the Bibliophilia Department. Manuscripts and Restoration. Created with his well-known scientific meticulousness, the articles and studies were grouped in ten thematic chapters: The History of the Romanian Book and Printing; Bibliophily; Manuscripts; Bibliology; Brăila Studies; Vary; Notes; Reviews; Prefaces; In Memoriam. The publisher’s care to print the volume in the best graphic conditions is noticeable. Due to the diversity of topics approached with a lot of professionalism, given that we do not have access to many periodicals, the anniversary volume is welcome in the Romanian publishing landscape and can be a good model to follow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the publishing history of the book "Black Reconstruction in America," by W.E.B. Du Bois, illustrating how Du Bois' struggle to fin d a publisher mirrored the socio-political struggles of the early 20th century. It describes the historiographical debate among scholars regarding the Reconstruction era in the U.S., the policies and characteristics of publishing houses in the early 20th century, and the popular reception of Du Bois' book after it was published. Other subjects under discussion include the publishing company Harcourt, Brace, & Co., the African American perspective on the history of the U.S. Civil War, and the sales figures of Du Bois' book.

The article discusses the early modern practice by book publishers and printers of post-dating works published at the end of a year. Several works detailing the purchase of post-dated pamphlets and books are considered including "Catlogue of the Pamphlets, Books, Newspapers, and Manuscripts Relating to the Civil War, the Commonwealth, and Restoration, Collected by George Thomason, 1640-1661," and "The Luttrell File: Narcissus Luttrell’s Dates on Contemporary Pamphlets 1678-1730," by Stephen Parks.