Guarded by Dragons by Rick Gekoski is a deep dive between the pages of the mysterious world of the most unusual manuscripts and archives, where stories are weaved within stories.

Rick Gekoski has been traversing the rocky terrain of the rare book trade for over fifty years. The treasure he seeks is scarce, carefully buried and often jealously guarded, knowledge of its hiding place shared through word of mouth like the myths of old.

Join Rick as he chats to RNZ’s Rob Kelly about this enchanted world. Rick will reflect on the gems he has unearthed throughout his career: including perusing D.H. Lawrence first editions in a slightly suspect Birmingham carpark; dizzying encounters with literary giants as Gekoski publishes William Golding; ping-pong with Salman Rushdie; upsetting Ted Hughes and much more... 

About Rick Gekoski
Rick Gekoski came from his native America to do a Ph.D at Oxford, and went on to teach English at the University of Warwick. In 1982, sick of lecturing, he decided to become a full-time rare book dealer, specialising in important twentieth-century first editions and manuscripts. He lives in London and spends time each year in Paris and New Zealand.

About Rob Kelly
Rob Kelly is a radio producer for RNZ and a recovering bookseller. He works on Nine to Noon, Afternoons, Nights and pretty much anything else that makes it onto the radio. He runs a weekly book quiz on RNZ's Afternoons show and does occasional book reviews. His first published story was a buying guide for funerals, and he's been burying ledes ever since. Rob has also worked at Radioactive, Unity Books and The Hotel Bristol and is fairly sure the level of service required is the same in all industries.