Development of the Book Trade in Tanzania

Abstract

This dissertation seeks to explain the development of the book trade in Tanzania covering authorship, publishing, printing, book selling and other means of distribution. It embraces all types of publishable literature such as books, periodicals, and other ephemeral materials. A historical approach, is taken — starting from the earliest times, through the colonial era, up to the present time. In each period, all known details pertaining to the book trade are shortly discussed. In the process, achievements or problems are revealed. Like all Third World countries, Tanzania is facing problems with the book trade. But the book trade is a vehicle by which information is disseminated to society. Without this information dissemination, no society can hope to survive. Under such pressures, Tanzania has tried to salvage the trade but to little success