Book excerpt: "This celebrated book is a classic on the fine art and craft of restoring leather bookbinding. Middleton is one of Britain's pre-eminent practitioners and scholars on the subject. He writes with the rare insight of long practice and hard-won authority. Nowhere else can a student of this craft find clearer or more detailed explanations of the restorer's lore and science." "This is Middleton's fourth revised and expanded edition. This edition features a new, full-colour, identifying guide for leather and papers most likely found in bookbinding. The section on suppliers has been completely updated along with a comprehensive index." "This definitive work belongs on the shelf of every bibliophile, librarian, conservator, book restorer, and binder interested in this unique art form."--Rabat de la jaquette.