Focus on unknown but beautiful libraries and manuscripts

- Featuring many beautiful and full-page photographs

This volume retraces the history of libraries and their transformation – over the centuries – into temples of knowledge, underscoring the almost sacred beauty of some of these buildings. The text by journalist and writer Stefano Salis follows the evolution of the concept of book, library and librarian; the one by art historian António Filipe Pimentel focuses on Portuguese libraries. Last but not least, Alberto Manguel describes the ups and downs of his personal library, establishing a connection with the universal history of libraries. Stunning photographs by Massimo Listri, portraying the most beautiful and picturesque rooms and ambiences of historic Portuguese libraries, complete the volume.