The first publication in the Viewpoint Series of the Center for the Book, this booklet contains the first lecture commemorating Luise Sillcox. The booklet includes a preface by John Y. Cole, Executive Director of the Center for the Book, and an introduction by John Hersey, President of the Authors League of America. The lecture presented in the booklet, given by Barbara Tuchman, focuses on the history of the book from its beginnings on clay tablets and papyrus written by scribes and priests; follows its development up to the present time; mentions some of the greatest books written in the Western world, as well as some of its greatest authors; and discusses early libraries, the pleasure gained from reading books, popular books and authors from different historical periods, the changing public taste, books with great political influence, paperback books, and the advent of television. (EL)