Publishers Offer Online Browsing

Two of the world's biggest publishers, HarperCollins and Random House, are now offering readers the facility to browse their books online.

A look at the feature on both sites shows that readers can access front and back covers, title pages and the first few pages of the first two chapters. The experience, although undeniably technologically impressive, is slightly less engaging than picking up a book and leafing through it. The future of the coffee table, unlike that of traditional publishing, is probably assured for a few more years.

No doubt one of the reasons why Gerry Johnson, managing director of book retailer Waterstones, recently warned of a digital revolution which would have major impact on his industry.

However, some critics are asking why publishers feel the need to do this, when Google has been doing it for free for them (and listing the results in its search results), only to be threatened with litigation. Probably all to do with controlling the content I'd imagine, though one could also question HC and RH's judgement in trying to usurp Google as an effective publicity engine.