This chapter discusses the history and current state of the book publishing industry. It covers the origins of books from papyrus to the printing press revolution. The modern industry is dominated by a handful of large conglomerates and faces challenges from new technologies like e-books and audiobooks. Key questions include who will produce content, how it will be distributed, and the overall business models for publishers. The chapter also examines controversies in book publishing like censorship and a focus on blockbuster titles.