In defence of books and bookshops: 1993

Nearly 25 years ago, the French novelist Jean d'Ormesson reflected on the future of books and bookshops in a world invaded by television and new technologies. 'Books', he wrote, 'are a great blessing in uncertain times.' 'The modern world was built through books. The Bible is a book. The Koran is a book. The Discourse on the Method is a book. The Capital