Michael Olmert Knihy

Michael Olmert, an accomplished English Literature professor at the University of Maryland, brings a wealth of experience to his writing, having won three Emmys for documentary writing. He regularly contributes to Colonial Williamsburg magazine and has authored notable works such as The Smithsonian Book of Books and Milton's Teeth and Ovid's Umbrella, which explores intriguing historical narratives and curiosities. His diverse background enriches his storytelling, blending academic insight with engaging historical adventures.

From earliest attempts at writing to the newest electronic computer-books; from sumptuous illuminated and bejeweled medieval manuscripts to Gutenberg and the invention of movable type; from the diverse arts and crafts of bookmaking to the building of magnificent libraries for housing treasured volumes; from the ancient epic of Gilgamesh to the plays of Shakespeare and the tales of Beatrix Potter, the author highlights the evolution of the commercial value of books and of the passion for book collecting