The Late Age of Print

This incisive examination of contemporary book culture dissects the seismic shifts that have defined the modern literary landscape, from the corporate expansion of mega-retailers to the powerful influence of celebrity-driven reading clubs. Striphas provides a critical framework for understanding how our relationship with the printed word has been fundamentally reshaped by market forces and media phenomena, offering a sobering look at the business behind the books.

What sets this analysis apart is its refusal to simply mourn a romanticized past, instead delivering a sharp, materialist critique of the publishing industry's evolution into a centralized, brand-driven enterprise. Readers interested in media studies, cultural criticism, and the sociology of literature will find a compelling narrative that connects the dots between bookstore consolidation, celebrity endorsement, and what we ultimately read. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to look beyond the book cover to understand the powerful economic and cultural machinery that produces our reading culture today.