{"product_id":"guarded-by-dragons-encounters-with-rare-books-and-rare-people-paperback","title":"Guarded by Dragons: Encounters with Rare Books and Rare People - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eRick Gekoski\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e Best Literary Non-fiction Books 2021 - 'a super yarn'\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 'Rick Gekoski's encyclopaedic knowledge of rare books is matched only by the enthusiasm and brio with which he writes about them' Ian Rankin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Rick Gekoski has been traversing the rocky terrain of the rare book trade for over fifty years. The treasure he seeks is scarce, carefully buried and often jealously guarded, knowledge of its hiding place shared through word of mouth like the myths of old.\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In \u003ci\u003eGuarded by Dragons\u003c\/i\u003e, Gekoski invites readers into this enchanted world as he reflects on the gems he has unearthed throughout his career. He takes us back to where his love of collecting began - perusing D.H. Lawrence first editions in a slightly suspect Birmingham carpark. What follows are dizzying encounters with literary giants as Gekoski publishes William Golding, plays ping-pong with Salman Rushdie and lunches with Graham Greene. A brilliant stroke of luck sees Sylvia Plath's personal copy of \u003ci\u003eThe Great Gatsby \u003c\/i\u003efall into Gekoski's lap, only for him to discover the perils of upsetting a Poet Laureate when Ted Hughes demands its return. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Hunting for literary treasure is not without its battles and Gekoski boldly breaks the cardinal rule never to engage in a lawsuit with someone much richer than yourself, while also guarding his bookshop from the most unlikely of thieves. The result is an unparalleled insight into an almost mythical world where priceless first editions of \u003ci\u003eUlysses \u003c\/i\u003ecan vanish, and billionaires will spend as much gold as it takes to own the manuscript of J.K. Rowling's \u003ci\u003eTales of Beedle the Bard\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Engaging, funny and shrewd, \u003ci\u003eGuarded by Dragons\u003c\/i\u003e is a fascinating discussion on value and worth. At the same time, Gekoski artfully reveals how a manuscript can tell a thousand stories.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRick Gekoski\u003c\/b\u003e came from his native America to do a DPhil at Oxford, and went on to teach English at the University of Warwick. In 1982, he decided to become a full-time rare book dealer, specialising in important twentieth-century first editions and manuscripts. He lives in Salisbury and spends time each year in New Zealand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 256\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.8 x 7.7 x 4.9 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 06, 2023\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51772410757408,"sku":"9781472133847","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/531e818b940cf296298f2b22800fac6e.webp?v=1780405065","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/guarded-by-dragons-encounters-with-rare-books-and-rare-people-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}