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The Time of Their Lives: The Golden Age of Great American Book Publishers, Their Editors, and Authors
A lively portrait of a fascinating and tumultuous period in American book publishing
According to Al Silverman, former publisher of Viking Press and president of the Book-of-the-Month Club, the golden age of book publishing began after World War II and lasted into the early 1980s.
In this entertaining and affectionate industry biography, Silverman captures the passionate spirit of legendary houses such as Knopf; Farrar, Straus and Giroux; Grove Press; and Harper & Row, and profiles larger-than-life executives and editors, including Alfred and Blanche Knopf, Bennett Cerf, Roger Straus, Seymour Lawrence, and Cass Canfield. More than one hundred and twenty publishing insiders share their behind-the-scenes stories about how some of the most famous books in American literary history—from The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich to The Silence of the Lambs—came into being and why they’re still being read today.
A joyful tribute to the hard work and boundless energy of professionals who dedicate their careers to getting great books in front of enthusiastic readers, The Time of Their Lives will delight bibliophiles and anyone interested in this important and ever-evolving industry.
According to Al Silverman, former publisher of Viking Press and president of the Book-of-the-Month Club, the golden age of book publishing began after World War II and lasted into the early 1980s.
In this entertaining and affectionate industry biography, Silverman captures the passionate spirit of legendary houses such as Knopf; Farrar, Straus and Giroux; Grove Press; and Harper & Row, and profiles larger-than-life executives and editors, including Alfred and Blanche Knopf, Bennett Cerf, Roger Straus, Seymour Lawrence, and Cass Canfield. More than one hundred and twenty publishing insiders share their behind-the-scenes stories about how some of the most famous books in American literary history—from The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich to The Silence of the Lambs—came into being and why they’re still being read today.
A joyful tribute to the hard work and boundless energy of professionals who dedicate their careers to getting great books in front of enthusiastic readers, The Time of Their Lives will delight bibliophiles and anyone interested in this important and ever-evolving industry.
436 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2008
25 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 12, 2008
A comprehensive primer on the "golden age" of publishing in America, with several amusing anecdotes. Silverman keeps to a hagiographic tone throughout, lovingly recounting how risky moves paid off for editors and publishers, and passing over the bad times. In fact, he doesn't once mention a grand failure, as if it would forever taint the editor's name in the annals of history. You can imagine how rose-colored the lens of the book then becomes as you read on. Despite this, it's a nice 101 for those of us in need of it in the publishing industry. Did you know both Toni Morrison and E.L. Doctorow started as book editors before they ever published their own work? Or that when The Godfather's paperback rights sold for $400K, Mario Puzo was, according to his editor, "piss poor"? Or that ______? And _______? You see what I mean. It's for these moments it's worth reading Silverman's memoir.
There's an unintended bonus to reding this now. With the economy in the toilet and almost quarterly "end times for publishing" thinkpieces in the media, it's gratifying to see how the publishing industry has evolved at other pressure points. In my mind, if we got through the 70s, we can get through this.
There's an unintended bonus to reding this now. With the economy in the toilet and almost quarterly "end times for publishing" thinkpieces in the media, it's gratifying to see how the publishing industry has evolved at other pressure points. In my mind, if we got through the 70s, we can get through this.
February 20, 2009
Reading this book is like having your bigoted, misogynistic, yet ultimately harmless great-uncle corner you at a family reunion to bore you with stories of the old days. Pros: it is valuable as a genealogy of American publishing houses, told by someone who worked in publishing and understood its intricacies. Cons: it is too sensationalistic (all men are "great men" and "literary giants" who "held court" working in "mighty, legendary publishing houses"), and women's contributions, when they are mentioned at all, are considered paltry. It is long, and sometimes tedious, but if you excise the fluff, Silverman does provide a useful history.
December 31, 2019
Great history of book publishing in the last half of the 20th century. The book is divided by chapters on each of the big publishing companies.
January 29, 2023
I enjoyed the stories, the author's writing, and how the book was organized.
August 24, 2016
"The only thing I can imagine worse than the book business today is the book business tomorrow."-Robert Gottlieb
Silverman shares the history and interviews the publishers and editors at many of the biggest publishers of the 20th century. You learn about how each publisher got its start, how they ran their lists and you learn a bit more about the important editors.
Fascinating that there are so many that started--and the majority of them in this book are now part of the Big Five Publishers.
What makes a good publishing plan? How do you make money in publishing? This book contains some good insight on how running a publisher works:
"So let’s figure out how they did make their money. Book publishing is like playing poker. You know how much money you got, and you know you gotta go home. You need gas money or subway money to get home. So you bet what you can bet, always keeping enough. This is the name of the game: You’re in the trade business—you break even, you make, what, two percent? It’s all right. Then you get Gone With the Wind. You don’t build no factories, you don’t hire nobody. You just pick up that telephone and call Margaret Mitchell and say—keep writin’, keep writin’,—and the money just rolls in. And if you’re smart, you don’t go on a binge and spend it. You invest it properly in your business."-Roger Donald
“The gestalt theory is my old favorite phrase. A configuration, pattern, or organized field having specific properties that cannot be derived from the summation of its component parts. It simply means that you do a balanced list, and then you do not have to analyze each title. I always had great pride in publishing a book well written, well produced, and well presented.”-Roger Donald
“Don once explained the job he inherited and handled with verve: 'Judgment in publishing ought to reflect three factors: taste, experience and—intuition.' Emphasizing this last word, he raised a moistened finger to the wind."-on Donald Lamm
"Once she was asked how she could publish for children since she had none of her own. Her answer was that she was a former child, “and I have forgotten nothing.”-on Ursula Nordstrom
Silverman shares the history and interviews the publishers and editors at many of the biggest publishers of the 20th century. You learn about how each publisher got its start, how they ran their lists and you learn a bit more about the important editors.
Fascinating that there are so many that started--and the majority of them in this book are now part of the Big Five Publishers.
What makes a good publishing plan? How do you make money in publishing? This book contains some good insight on how running a publisher works:
"So let’s figure out how they did make their money. Book publishing is like playing poker. You know how much money you got, and you know you gotta go home. You need gas money or subway money to get home. So you bet what you can bet, always keeping enough. This is the name of the game: You’re in the trade business—you break even, you make, what, two percent? It’s all right. Then you get Gone With the Wind. You don’t build no factories, you don’t hire nobody. You just pick up that telephone and call Margaret Mitchell and say—keep writin’, keep writin’,—and the money just rolls in. And if you’re smart, you don’t go on a binge and spend it. You invest it properly in your business."-Roger Donald
“The gestalt theory is my old favorite phrase. A configuration, pattern, or organized field having specific properties that cannot be derived from the summation of its component parts. It simply means that you do a balanced list, and then you do not have to analyze each title. I always had great pride in publishing a book well written, well produced, and well presented.”-Roger Donald
“Don once explained the job he inherited and handled with verve: 'Judgment in publishing ought to reflect three factors: taste, experience and—intuition.' Emphasizing this last word, he raised a moistened finger to the wind."-on Donald Lamm
"Once she was asked how she could publish for children since she had none of her own. Her answer was that she was a former child, “and I have forgotten nothing.”-on Ursula Nordstrom
May 17, 2012
A really solid overview of the good ol' days of book publishing, mainly set in New York, covering the major editors, authors, and heads of company's of the times. Silverman is a great story teller providing a vivid and thoroughly researched portrait not just of the big figures in publishing but also capturing the atmosphere of the publishing houses themselves. If you're new to publishing it's a great primer on who was who (though many of the big names are still very alive and still publishing) in publishing, and if you're not so new, then this will be a nice trip down memory lane.
January 28, 2009
"One thing I almost forgot about the rise and fall of the golden age described here. It began to falter not when the book publishers who loved books gave way to those who preferred profits to reading. It happened when publishers and editors began cutting back on their drinking. If there is one national flower in book publishing, it is the martini." I have to have a martini whenever I'm reading this one.
October 24, 2011
Who would have thought that a book about publishing would be this FANTASTIC! I flew this incredibly readable set of histories of the major publishing houses. Anyone who like books will love this inside look at who puts them out, why they put them out and all the colorful characters encountered in the process. I just adored this book!
September 5, 2010
Nothing particularly wonderful about the writing, but this is a great overview of the publishing industry during its "golden age" (like, from WWII through to the early 80s, when the conglomerates moved in in earnest). Lots of great anecdotes...
March 17, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed the anecdotal story of American publishing in its golden age, the bright and noble and naughty authors, and the flashes of genius that dazzled readers and reviewers. The author was there, and he tells us about it with measured prose and judicious judgment.
December 30, 2012
Breezy, but a wonderful primer to the Golden Age of 20th Century publishing from a person who was there. Read this together with Ted Striphas' 5-star book 'The Late Age of Print' and 'Merchants of Culture' by John Thompson and you will have an M.S. in book publishing.
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March 19, 2013An absolutely delightful and gossipy visit to the post-WWII publishing world including many old friends.
January 21, 2014
Fascinating! Loved reading all the behind-the-scenes stories of the industry. Made me wish I'd been part of it back then.
September 6, 2020
Publishers and editors in their bookish glory—what’s not to like?
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews