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Stephanie Kurschus analyses the idea of a common "European" book culture that integrates the book market as an essential aspect and employs book promotion as balancing instrument. Characteristics of book culture are identified; the resultant concept of book culture provides an overview of the values and myths ascribed to the book. Furthermore, applied book promotion measures are analyzed for their effectiveness and best practice models. Since, in a context determined by culture and market, preservation and innovation, book promotion fulfills two functions: it is to protect the unique national characteristics of book culture as well as to support its continuous development. To adapt and to advance within a changing environment is critical to the survival of book culture in the digital reality.
List of contents
Book Cultures - Approaching an Elusive Concept.- A Concept of "Book Culture".- European Book Culture - Framework, Indicators and a Typology.- Promoting Book Culture - Measures and Efficiency.- A New Book Culture in the Digital Age?.- List of Literature.
Report
"Stephanie Kurschus vividly demonstrates how diverse book culture is, even in a continent that claims to be founded on mutual shared values. The highly insightful book appeals mainly to four audiences: institutional decision makers of grant-awarding bodies, national agencies promoting reading and book culture, decision makers in cultural and educational politics, and scholars of contemporary book studies. ... this book has the potential to become a starting point for future discussion on methods of book promotion." (Jan Hillgaertner, Publishing Research Quarterly, March, 2015)
