Rebel Bookseller: How to Improvise Your Own Indie Store and Beat Back the Chains

by Andrew Laties

Book Overview

Renowned bookseller Andrew Laties offers a radical and creative new paradigm for independent booksellers on all sides of the cash register, written to inspire a revival of community bookselling. In... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0975276344
• ISBN13: 9780975276341
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Vox Pop
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Even if you're not a bookseller, or a rebel...

...you'll still enjoy this book. Laties discusses the numerous bookstores he's run or co-run, and I found the inner workings of the book business to be extremely interesting. The tips and techniques explored in Rebel Bookseller could carry over into any industry really, but it's exciting to hear how some were developed and implemented by Laties, and the successes or failures they produced. I highly recommend this title.

not exactly a how-to, but inspirational and fun

If you are planning on opening a bookstore and know nothing about the book trade, this book might not be as entertaining. If you have worked in the trade before, however, this book is both a quick, entertaining read and a wealth of information in the form of anecdotes and handy tidbits toward going it on your own. It won't give you a step-by-step guide to starting a bookstore, but then again if you wanted that you probably wouldn't be reading a book called "Rebel Bookseller." Laties' claims that he did everything first and the chains stole all the good ideas from him are a little wearing at times; then again, I can appreciate arrogance if it's justified and judging by his level of success both with bookstores and his book, obviously the guy knows what he's doing, so listen to him. Written passionately and optimistically, if nothing else this book will bolster your faith in indie bookstores and get you ready to do it yourself.

Rebel Bookseller: How to Improvise Your Own Indie Store and Beat Back the Chains

Very enlightening book about the bookselling industry and the giant chain stores. This is a must read for indie store owners, not just booksellers.

Fighting Words

The review from Publishers Weekly, above, is pretty funny, considering that in "Rebel Bookseller" I make some not-so-charming comments about -- guess who -- Publishers Weekly! So, ahem, I really couldn't ask them for more. Why, in fact, on their very own website, this "Rebel Bookseller" review has even got a star! [...] However, here's a review from a more naturally sympa reader, Ramsay Kinaan of AK Press, who says: "This is a phenomenal book. Laties has been in the trenches of bookselling and community organizing for the last 20 years. Herein you'll find part autobiography/memoir of the bookselling years (he's still doing it today), part history of the book industry, and part how-to guide to start, and succeed, in your own bookselling endeavors, even in the face of the competition from the chains and big conglomerate bastards. Laties is witty, opinionated for sure, impassioned, but eminently practical in both his desires for independent bookselling and how to actually do it effectively. As the man who almost invented in-store events, community outreach, and store mailings, he has a lot to share. Activists of all stripes, not just booksellers, can learn from this book. It made me laugh. It made me think. It inspired me. It'll do the same for you too." [...] Thanks, Brother! Andy Laties [...]

A Must-Read for the Book Industry at Large!

More than a simple expose of the rather murky and misunderstood book world, Laties "Rebel Bookseller" is a call to arms for all future independent bookstore owners. While his tone is acerbic at times, his information and insights are top-notch. They should be after the over 20 years of independent bookselling he's done. Laties explains why books are so expensive and why superstores are to blame. Still, his message is a hopeful one. He sees the importance of independent bookselling for all aspects of the industry as independent bookstores are a breeding ground for independent thinking and independent writing and most important of all, independent reading. This book is a must-read for all booksellers, all bookstore owners, and all who hope to join that weird and wonderful world.