ISRA Books is a small, independent publishing house based in London, England.
The company specialises in publishing the literature of the East. The religious thought and the poetry of this part of the world have been a considerable influence way beyond the lands of their origin and are an important part of world culture. In publishing these works in careful and accurate translation, we hope to make them available to an English-speaking public and to play a part in preserving them for the enjoyment and illumination of the generations that follow us.
The legal expression “not for profit” indicates an organisation established for purposes other than making money, one where some or all surplus revenues are used to further the intentions for which the organisation was established rather than to benefit the individuals with an interest in it. Not-for-profit organisations in the United Kingdom are often charities, but may also include a wider group of organisations set up with intentions other than to make a financial gain.
ISRA Books is a charitable organisation and the company articles are characterised in the same ways as other charities registered with the Charities Commission.
ISRA Books was instituted to play a part in preserving the cultural heritage of the East. It is our intention to help safeguard this wonderful resource for the enjoyment and enlightenment of the generations that follow us.
Proceeds generated by the sales of our books and tickets for our events are paid back into our enterprise to ensure we can continue this important work for many years to come.
Modern book production results from the invention of the printing press. Although the earliest known woodblock prints come from China, dating from around 220 AD, the invention of movable type and the printing press in Europe is credited to Johann Gutenberg of Germany. Gutenberg, in collaboration with his partners Johann Fust and Peter Schoffer, printed a Latin Bible using a hand printing press with movable lead type in about 1456. By the nineteenth century, however, the demand for books was so great it could not be met by ordinary hand printing. Printers were therefore forced to develop larger presses that could accommodate larger sheets of paper or the newly-invented continuous rolls of paper. These improvements allowed printers to produce books at a much faster rate.
Binding
This involves sewing the pages together, gluing the spine, inserting the lining and trimming the edges. The amount and type of binding depends on the type of book and its size.
Paper Stock
Books are made from a variety of different coated and uncoated paper stocks that differ in weight and size. Different colour inks may be used and, while front and back covers are generally made from a heavier stock of paper, they will vary in terms of weight.
There are three main printing processes used in book production; offset lithography, letter-press and gravure. The process used depends on quality and economic factors.
