Once upon a time there was a bookstore in Paris where anyone who showed up could stay for free. For nearly six decades, George Whitman ran the world's most famous bookshop, Shakespeare and Company.
This book recounts how a Norwegian student in the 1990's suddenly found himself in charge of the bookstore and between its shelves discovered a mysterious Parisian river barge that would change his life.
Richly illustrated and packed with endearing bohemian characters, here's a fascinating and unique journey behind the scenes. Join the author as he explores the turbuluent intrigues, lifelong friendships and turbulent romances at the bookshop that hosted tens of thousands of vagabonds, students and would-be-writers.
Also included: Exclusive interviews with legendary bookseller George Whitman; his best friend, the poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti; founder of the underground restaurant movement, Jim Haynes; and acclaimed Swedish film maker Eric M. Nilsson, who in 1966 made the ultimate documentary about the bookshop.
How was it possible to maintain a thriving, trust-based utopia in the heart of Paris? Why were so many people drawn to this particular bookshop? And what was George Whitman's big secret? Those are some of the questions this books attempts to answer.
