A former librarian at Chelsea School of Art (London), Clive Phillpot became the Director of the Library at Moma (New York) in 1977, and mapped out the field of artists' books from an institutional point of view. Collaborating with Printed Matter and Franklin Furnace among other organisations dedicated to the medium of the book, he helped raise awareness of these works, while giving them the necessary credentials to enter museums.

Introduced by a conversation between the author, Christophe Cherix and Lionel Bovier, this book is a first collection of his writings dating from 1972 to 2010. It will prove an invaluable reference for all those interested in the evolution of artists' books and their perception in the art world.