Michael Castleman is a journalist and author of best-selling books on sexuality, health, and the history of book publishing. He also writes fiction.
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“… This book should be required reading for anyone with the pluck to undertake book writing today…”—Frank Viviano, author of Blood Washes Blood.
“…The publishing industry is often shrouded in mystery. This book lifts the veil and provides a fresh, new, compelling perspective.”—Mark Chimsky, former editorial director of Harper San Francisco
From Gutenberg to Amazon, Michael Castleman’s The Untold Story of Books is the first and only history of publishing told from a veteran author’s point of view. Witty, entertaining, and full of remarkable new insights, it’s a deeply researched, fascinating history of the idiosyncratic book business—aimed at authors, aspiring authors, booksellers, industry professionals, and everyone who loves to read books.
The Untold Story of Books organizes the 600-year saga of publishing into three distinct book businesses, all defined by the evolution of printing: Gutenberg-style hand presses (1450-1870), industrial printing (1870-2000), and digital publishing (2000-?). Castleman explores how each new book business upended its predecessor, forcing authors, publishers, and booksellers to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. It’s a story full of surprises. Why did books become favored Christmas presents? Because of a poem written in 1823. Why is New York the nation’s publishing capital? Because of the Erie Canal. Why are book endorsements are called “blurbs”? Because of a satirist’s joke in 1907. And why is copyright often an illusion? Because publishing was founded on book piracy, which today is easier and more rampant than ever. Learn more… Pre-Order now!
"The most practical, authoritative, and comprehensive childhood-to-old-age sexuality guide ever written.” Eli Coleman, Ph.D., chair of the Human Sexuality Program, the University of Minnesota.
Premature ejaculation is men’s most common sex problem. “The Cure” can cure 90 percent of them.
Michael’s Ed Rosenberg mystery series features a newspaper reporter sleuth and San Francisco history.
The quality of Castleman’s consumer health guides persuaded Library Journal to call him “one of the nation’s top health writers."
During a 50-year career, San Francisco journalist Michael Castleman has published 19 books and more than 3,000 magazine and web articles.
Michael’s “All About Sex” blog attracts 200,000 views a month, and has amassed more than 58 million total views.
Michael writes a weekly column focused on recent, compelling sex research.
Got sex questions? Michael answers them quickly—for FREE.