Gladstone Books is located at a private address in the small Nottinghamshire cathedral town of Southwell. Bona fide browsers are able to view the book stock, at leisure, in my comfortable Library quite near the town centre, providing an appointment has been made in advance of the prospective visit (preferably by ‘phone call). Visiting times can usually be arranged for any day of the week, during daylight hours. Many visitors have commented on the restful aura of the recently extended library (photos show a corner of one room & entrance to another).

Over 3000 good quality books are on display (and many others in stock), with significant selections of history, poetry, essays, visual arts, biographies, local and natural history, philosophy, science, technology, sociology, classical and modern fiction, children’s books, reference and Folio books. Almost all books are hardback and in very good condition, including several of antiquarian status, having been published in or before the 19th century.

Although the range of subject areas is wide, the number of academic books stocked makes visiting it particularly rewarding for staff and students at the several universities in the East Midlands, namely: Nottingham, Nottingham Trent, Lincoln, Leicester, Leicester De Montfort, Loughborough and Derby. For example, I have recently substantially increased the stock of books on UK politics since the early 19th century, science and technology and on philosophy - all in good to very good condition.

As a retired university professor, I have spent a lifetime much involved with books - as author, editor, reviewer, collector and latterly, for over about twenty five years, book dealer. I have run Gladstone Books at various locations in Newark, Lincoln and Southwell, and received several unsolicited recommendations which can be viewed online at Link C below. My own latest book, with a bioethical and historical theme, is due to be published soon: more details will be announced in the next issue of this Review.

As evident from the recent photographs, structural changes to the Library now allow more space for browsing in a peaceful environment, which I think both old and new browsers will appreciate - but visitors to the Library should not feel obliged to make any purchases - although some will be priced at only a pound.

Recently, major changes in my and my family’s lives, which are explained in Gladstone Review no. 24 (via link A below), have led me to reflect on this twenty five year avocation, and consider whether, in an age when so few people appreciate the value of the written word- with its unique capacity to catalyse fruitful mental reflection- is worth the candle.’ Successfully surmounting such concerns before, and now also having resolved to donate all profits to UNICEF, I have decided that it is!

IN BRIEF, THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS ARE:

more books: more space: lower prices: all profits go to UNICEF

Current issues of this e-journal are freely accessible by clicking button A. For recommendations click B, previous issues click C.