Signed Review Copy
The Lifetime Reading Plan
Publication: Cleveland: World Publishing, 1960. First Edition.
Notes: An inscribed review copy of Fadiman's influential book on reading.
Fadiman, a founder of the Book of the Month Club, which aimed to bring good books to a broader public through less expensive editions, was one of the great popularizers of books in the mid-20th century. He was a predecessor of Harold Bloom, but with a generous heart. He explains in the introduction of this book that his "Plan is meant for the American, from eighteen to eighty, who is curious to see what his mind can master in the course of his remaining lifetime."
The book was reissued many times until 1999 in English; in the 21st century, it has been translated into a number of other languages.
320 pages (including preliminaries).
Edition + Condition: First edition (stated). Pencil underlining in the introduction, else a near fine copy in an attractive, fragile gold dust jacket with minor wear at the corners. Laid into this copy is a review slip and a bookmark promoting National Library Week in 1960. This copy comes from the estate of Maurice Neville, a bookseller-collector who specialized in modern literature, and is inscribed to him, "For Maurie—with every good wish—Clifton Fadiman." Uncommon signed.
Item No: #225314
Price: $150