The study of bibliography takes various forms: a historical introduction to the development of the book over the centuries, an examination of the constituent parts of the book and methods of its description.

First published in 1931 by Allen & Unwin and The Library Association, A Student's Manual of Bibliography soon established itself as a classic in its field.; its author, Arundell Esdaile, of the British Museum, was a lecturer in bibliography at the London University School of Librarianship from 1919-1939.

His professional colleague, Roy Stokes, University of British Columbia, became responsible for Esdaile's Manual of Bibliography with its fourth edition published in 1967.

Designed for the literary student, the student librarian, and the beginning book collector, this manual assumes nothing but interest from the outset; it prepares readers for more advanced texts as they develop specialized interests.