The Book-of-the-Month Club was founded in 1926 by Harry Scherman who combined his love of books with the idea of using mail order to make literature more accessible to people. He believed many would enjoy reading or benefit from exposure to great works if books were readily available and they received guidance on selections. Over nearly 100 years, the club introduced readers to many renowned authors and classics through its judges' selections. It grew to include over 15 specialized clubs covering different interests while continuing its mission of sharing literature.

1. BOOK-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB
…BOOKSPAN…
A book club by any other name …
“Bertelsmann” “DirectBrands” “Bookspan”
is historically the same….

2. BOOK-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB
The company was founded in 1926 by Harry Scherman
who combined his love for books with an idea to
make use of the mail order system and created a
company that has lasted almost 100 years.
He believed there were people out there who loved
to read or would benefit greatly from exposure to
such literature, if only it was made readily available
to them AND they were given guidance in their
choices to ensure they were reading the best that
American and Foreign writers had to offer.

3. THE ARCHIVES
As Far As The
Eye Can Read

4. THE ‘JUDGES’
TheMostExclusiveClubinTown
who were elected to choose the books for sale were true lovers of the written
word, some authors themselves. They based the business on selecting not only
popular sellers but stories and writers, some unknown, that they felt it was their
duty to bring to the public’s eyes, hearts and minds

5. BOMC INTRODUCED AND OFFERED SOME THE GREATEST
BOOKS IN HISTORY. AUTHORS AND TITLES NOW KNOWN THE
WORLD OVER.

6. AS THE YEARS PASSED BOMC FLOURISHED OFFERING MORE
AND MORE DIVERSITY, CREATING CLUBS FOR ALL INTERESTS
 and much more…growing to over 15 clubs
SCIENCE
HISTORY
CRAFTS
SCI FI
ONE
SPIRIT
ROMANCE EDUCATION
COOKING
CHRISTIAN
MYSTERY
MILITARY
CHILDREN’S
PAPERBACK
FICTION & NONFICTION
ADVENTURE

7. THE GHOSTS OF BOMC PAST
 The following are pages from the BOMC
catalogues of old. On them one can see
the history, the people, the publications,
and the pride…if one can read small enough.
 Please flip through, and see if you can spot a
name or book cover that makes you leap and
say…that story touched my life.

8. GLIMPSES OF BOMC PRESERVED HISTORY

11. INTERNATIONAL
Authors
American&

12. A PROUD COLLECTION OF CLASSICS

13. PRIZE WINNING LITERATURE

15. PRIME MINISTERS
Presidents
Princes

16. CLIFTON FADIMAN

21. EXCEPTIONAL CLUB VP

26. PLACE YOUR ORDER PLEASE !

27. I hope you have enjoyed our little stroll through the
stacks, as we say in the book club.
As we also say….
The End