This key book examines the role of the printed book in contemporary societies, its demographics and its relation to the other media. It analyzes the differences among various national book industries throughout Europe and the USA, and the reasons and impact of the differences. Both the effect of digital technologies and the reasons why e-books did not substitute the printed book, as predicted in mid-nineties, are explored. - A comprehensive overview of the diversities and similarities that exist among various national book industries and among various publishing fields throughout the developed world - Analyses the development of all book professions (librarians + booksellers + publishers) - Builds a link between research methodologies used in book history and on contemporary publishing research