If you've ever gone holiday shopping, you have probably gone into a bookshop to find the perfect gift for someone you care about. In this episode, we talk with Evan Friss about his astonishing history of how American bookstores were born, how they grew, and how they've at least tried to survive in a world where almost everything is done online. From chains to indies, he shows how bookstores became a critical place where ideas are exchanged, and how books themselves are marketed and consumed. From Ben Franklin to YOU, he shows how bookstores mark American progress.

Information on his book can be found at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/679154/the-bookshop-by-evan-friss/

His website is https://evanfriss.com/

He is on social media at https://x.com/EvanFriss

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**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**

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