...presents a snapshot of the mind of Librarian of Congress and ALA President Herbert Putnam (1861-1955) through the letters he wrote to his wife and daughters while on a trip through Great Britain, Holland, Germany, Scandinavia, and Russia. He dines and plays golf with Andrew Carnegie, who warns that 'he is in retreat and doesn't want to talk libraries or hear about libraries.' Extensively annotated by Knowlton, the correspondence reflects Putnam's bibliographic interests and cultural tastes, as well as the sights and society of turn-of-the-century Europe.
Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie
The text is meticulously edited and thoroughly documented and indexed....Putnam's correspondence during his 1903 Grand Tour of Europe fills in many gaps for library history enthusiasts fascinated by turn-of-the-twentieth century librarianship. By allowing a rare glimpse into Putnam's personal life, these letters reward the reader with a word portrait showing the human side of the library superman. Academic and research libraries will find this book a valuable addition to their collections and a welcome addition for library historians.
College & Research Libraries
In July of 1903, Librarian of Congress Herbert Putnam went to Europe on an extended trip that combined work and recreation. This volume presents annotated transcriptions of his correspondence with family and colleagues during that tour, providing a close look at his personal and professional life. The letters also reveal much about European tourism as it was experienced by elite travelers in the early twentieth century.
Reference and Research Book News