Publishers and the book trade between hyperinflation and world economic crisis, between the founding of the Republic and creeping loss of democracy -- volume 2 of "Geschichte des deutschen Buchhandels im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert" (The History of the German Book Trade in the 19th and 20th Century) portrays a vivid picture of the book trade in eventful times. The first part-volume provides insight into the drastic political and economic conditions, into the author's predicament and the altered structure of the readership. Further topics stem from developments in the book trade, above all against the backdrop of the fiercely debated "book crisis", triggered by media competition with radio, film, illustrated magazines and newspapers. Aspects of production technology and book design as well as themes central to publishing such as academic publishers, are also dealt with. Supported by illustrations, tables and statistics, this presentation reconstructs a dynamic chapter in the history of the German book trade.