The Lost Gutenberg: The Astounding Story of One Book's Five-Hundred-Year Odyssey
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The Lost Gutenberg: The Astounding Story of One Book's Five-Hundred-Year Odyssey Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Margaret Leslie Davis (Author), Coleen Marlo (Narrator), Penguin Audio (Publisher)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 226 ratings
Editors' pick Best Nonfiction
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“A lively tale of historical innovation, the thrill of the bibliophile’s hunt, greed and betrayal.” (The New York Times Book Review)

"An addictive and engaging look at the ‘competitive, catty and slightly angst-ridden’ heart of the world of book collecting.” (The Houston Chronicle)

The never-before-told story of one extremely rare copy of the Gutenberg Bible, and its impact on the lives of the fanatical few who were lucky enough to own it.

For rare-book collectors, an original copy of the Gutenberg Bible - of which there are fewer than 50 in existence - represents the ultimate prize. Here, Margaret Leslie Davis recounts five centuries in the life of one copy, from its creation by Johannes Gutenberg, through the hands of monks, an earl, the Worcestershire sauce king, and a nuclear physicist to its ultimate resting place, in a steel vault in Tokyo. Estelle Doheny, the first woman collector to add the book to her library and its last private owner, tipped the Bible onto a trajectory that forever changed our understanding of the first mechanically printed book.

The Lost Gutenberg draws listeners into this incredible saga, immersing them in the lust for beauty, prestige, and knowledge that this rarest of books sparked in its owners. Exploring books as objects of obsession across centuries, this is a must-listen for history buffs, book collectors, seekers of hidden treasures, and anyone who has ever craved a remarkable book - and its untold stories.

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  1. Listening Length
    6 hours and 25 minutes
  2. Author
    Margaret Leslie Davis
  3. Narrator
    Coleen Marlo
  4. Audible release date
    March 19, 2019
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Penguin Audio
  7. ASIN
    B07NQMVJ1Z
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 6 hours and 25 minutes
Author Margaret Leslie Davis
Narrator Coleen Marlo
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date March 19, 2019
Publisher Penguin Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07NQMVJ1Z
Best Sellers Rank #196,686 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#86 in Western European History
#684 in History of Religion (Audible Books & Originals)
#1,062 in Historical Biographies (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
226 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Joyce
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific, even thrilling, account of one volume of Gutenberg's Bible.
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book traces the history of one volume of Gutenberg's Bible and its owners. Tantalizingly, each owner seems to come to some crisis--not necessarily, cause & effect but makes for good reading. One of my students reported on this book for my History of Writing class, and the students voted it most interesting of 20 some book talks.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Margaret Leslie Davis Incredible Story About The Lost Gutenberg Bible!!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
Margaret Davis has written a spellbinding story about one of the world's rarest books, The Gutenberg Bible. With her extensive and detailed research has captured the beauty of this one-of-a-kind incunabula that any true rare book bibliophile would appreciate! Ms. Davis' description of the process that Johann Gutenberg went through [e.g., the creation of movable metal type, the development of high quality rag paper to print on, etc.] to create an enduring work of art is extraordinary. I was privileged to view a copy of this rare magnificent codex belonging to the Huntington Library at the time of its restoration by my father, Max Adjarian, Master Renaissance Bookbinder. Thank you, Ms. Davis, for skillfully sharing this unique voyage through time!! Bravo!!!
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Ron L
4.0 out of 5 stars Clickbait Title; Better Book
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2019
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The book in question (No.45) was never ‘lost’, nor is there any explanation why someone chose such a title. The subject of the book and the writing of the same are sufficient to generate interest in most all folks who read and have some curiosity regarding the origins of moveable-type printing.
Aside from that and occasional attempts to invest the book with more spirituality than warranted, it’s a delightful read. Ms. Davis tracks Gutenberg Bible No. 45 from late in the 18th century until its current home in the 21st and along the way populates the pages with well-drawn portraits of the owners, dealers and others associated with the book.
As well, most readers know the Gutenberg bibles are rare, but the author makes clear exactly how rare (they number 48 known volumes), and how individual they are; as far as is known, not one matches another totally. Each uniquely rare, as it were.
No. 45 goes on to become the first to be examined by nuclear processes and becomes the first to be completely digitized, moving a ‘first’ in the printing arts to the ‘first’ on the web.
Fascinating.
19 people found this helpful
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lisha
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great read and oh, what a tangled web we weave! Catholic Church up to it's old nefarious ways in this page turner...just a remarkable story of innocence lost.
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Doug Pratt
3.0 out of 5 stars He quickly scans the book and returns it.
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2019
Verified Purchase
Interesting read of the journey of Gutenberg Bible. This book is written in the present tense, which I find difficult to read and believe is not the best approach for a historical book. More pics of the actual BIble would have been nice.
20 people found this helpful
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Scott L Keever
5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating account
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
There was so much more to the story of this Gutenberg Bible than I was expecting, and it was told so well that I was seriously impressed, and even emotionally touched by the time I finished reading the book. Highly recommended.
One person found this helpful
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Howard boyce
5.0 out of 5 stars The Lost Gutenberg
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2022
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I found the book to be very interesting and fascinating. Not only the development,and the travels of it, but the story of the persons who were involved in its transportation.
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Mustard Seed Ministries
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2022
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For history buffs who enjoy an odd subject t read - this is a must. Historical yet also enjoy j oyable
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Top reviews from other countries

Joshua S
4.0 out of 5 stars A very important book and the history of its owners
Reviewed in Australia on May 29, 2019
Verified Purchase
Very enjoyable read for history buffs and bibliophiles alike. Not too meaty and no huge revelations to be hard, but still a a well written and worthwhile read.
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alison medd
2.0 out of 5 stars Too dry to finish
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
I love reading narratives that describe the history of a painting or objects...Think Hare With the Amber Eyes or Girl in a Green Gown. This was nothing like as interesting and in the end I gave up.
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