+book +find +help

December 2, 2006 3:51 PM

Where should I search in order to generate a list of all/most books published (in English, for the past 20 years or so) about a particular topic? I have a feeling that using Amazon plus my local library isn't giving me comprehensive results. Is there some kind of all-libraries database? Or all books that have been issued ISBN numbers?
posted by xo to grab bag (6 comments total)

worldcat?
posted by Grod at 4:01 PM on December 2, 2006

The Library of Congress might be a good place to start.
posted by brina at 4:10 PM on December 2, 2006

I was gonna say Grod beat me to it, but I have the right link. he he
posted by saffry at 4:11 PM on December 2, 2006

grrr.
posted by Grod at 4:22 PM on December 2, 2006

Seconding WorldCat.
posted by unknowncommand at 9:40 PM on December 2, 2006

Have a look at Books In Print -- despite its name, it also indexes out-of-print books. You might have remote access through your local library -- check out the library's homepage to see.
posted by climalene at 8:31 AM on December 3, 2006