Discover a new way to read classics with Quick Read.
This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 2 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 9 minutes

"The Enemies of Books" is a book written by William Blades, a 19th-century bibliophile and book collector. It was first published in 1880 and has since been republished in different editions. The book focuses on the preservation of books and the dangers they face. Blades passionately criticizes biblioclasts, both human and non-human, who mistreat books. The book covers various enemies of books, including fire, water, gas and heat, dust and neglect, ignorance and bigotry, bookworms, bookbinders, book collectors, vermin, servants, and children. Blades concludes the book with a plea for reverence towards old books, which he believed was lacking during his time. Overall, the book serves as a call to protect and cherish literature from its many threats.