I love Henry Petroski. I've read every book by him I could find - including that one - and it was indeed utterly fascinating. Those chained libraries...

It's this (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0756765889/qid=1079042794/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-8265400-1392615?v=glance&s=books) book. Only in paperback. I also have his book on building his own house by hand. Can't wait to read that, either.