Building Books gives insight into the process of creating a book. In seven thematic fields the author lays out the premises of his activity as a designer and publisher: vision, context, process, protest, object, duration, effect. The reference to the process of building and the parallels to architecture is in keeping with Lars Müller’s conviction that a book design emerges from an understanding of its content. The author describes the principles of his activity, settles accounts, takes stock after twenty-five years of Lars Müller Publishers, looks into the future, and speculates about the book’s chances in competition with rapid digital media.