This book investigates the complex relationship between the physical form of a text and the meaning it conveys. Donald Francis McKenzie, a renowned bibliographer and textual scholar, draws upon his extensive research and expertise to explore how the production, distribution, and reception of books have shaped their interpretation throughout history. The work examines various case studies to demonstrate how the material aspects of a book—its typography, layout, and even its binding—are not merely vessels for content but active participants in the creation of meaning.

Donald Francis McKenzie's "Making Meaning" is recognized as a foundational text in the field of bibliography and textual studies. Scholars frequently cite its rigorous methodology and insightful analysis of how the physical book influences meaning. The work is considered essential reading for anyone studying the history of the book, literary criticism, or the sociology of texts, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding the material dimensions of literature.