If you're a shareholder or an employee of any of those companies, these have been hugely consequential events. But I can't be the only person who has wondered: If you're just someone who enjoys reading good books, why does any of this matter at all?
Let me be clear: Sinykin's book is delightful, smart, and teeming with insights. As a concise historical survey of changes within the publishing business over the past half century, it is invaluable. That said, although his book raises a very compelling question, it tellingly and consistently fails to offer any satisfying answers. More than anything, the book demonstrates how very difficult it will be for us to attain any real understanding of how the structures of the publishing industry affect the contents of books.
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