Guarded by Dragons follows rare book dealer Rick Gekoski as he uncovers the mysteries behind the most unusual manuscripts and archives, where stories are weaved within stories.

Praise for Tolkien's Gown

'Essential reading for any booklover, but it is also a supreme example of a natural and skilled storyteller at work. It is wonderfully paced and full of rich and fascinating detail' Colm Toibin


'Packed with tantalising trivia, laced with great humour and full of detailed descriptions that will have any bibliophile slavering' Independent on Sunday



'An irresistible mix of droll humour, shrewd literary criticism and fascinating anecdote, by a dealer in the fetishistic world of modern first editions. The perfect bedside book for bibliophiles' Sunday Telegraph



'Hugely entertaining account of the great books and their worth as literature . . . Think Bill Bryson, only on books' Tatler

Gekoski, possibly the most important book dealer of the last 50 years, fills page after page with witty anecdotes on dealing with the rarest books in the world, the people who wrote them, and the people that collect them. Beyond great stories well told, it's an education on the book trade itself. An absolute must-read for book lovers.