Prospero’s Books

Very unique selection with both old and new reads at very good prices. Not to mention genuine customer service. One of the few places in Old Town Manassas I enjoy going to.

After a few years of passing this bookstore I finally made a visit. I was immediately greeted by Bob and he was a delight! Even with limited time, I think I spend a whole hour there browsing books and prints. If I had more time, I think I could have spent another 2 hours there! And of course, I managed to go home with a lovely book on antique furniture.
Also, a BIG thanks to Prospero’s for carrying books by local authors.

Prospero’s Books is a nice little bookstore that has been around since ’93, occupying the 103-​year-​old Hibbs & Giddings building in Old Town Manassas; they have an extensive inventory and selection of fiction and non-​fiction books, particularly in Military History, Americana, General and Hardback fiction. They even have antique maps and prints! I was amazed at the number of rare, collectible and out-​of-​print books you can find in here, all in great condition, for your collection or to give as a gift. The store itself is well-​organized, and they offer shipment anywhere in the world with a guarantee in safety and secureness in wrapping. There are comfy chairs throughout to look through your found treasures, with a company of the store’s cute little kitty cat: D Be sure to check them out! :D

Prospero’s — a tiny little book store stuffed to the brim in neat little rows like a pack of Girl Scout cookies. European history lovers will find a limited selection of the typical fare — Nazis, and generic «history of» assortments. American history lovers will be pleased beyond words. The cook book section is a small selection of books that have been circulating since the 70s: microwave cookbooks, crockpot meals, grilling techniques, and Chinese.
Thirty minutes will barely see you through a quarter of the store if you are truly looking through the offerings — especially not if you get distracted by petting the cat.
An old wooden shop, the floors creak, the air is musty and dry. For a book lover, it is home. For someone looking for a specific text, it is nothing more than a reminder of days gone past. The owners are friendly, and happy to chat. They will stop to help look for a book if help is needed.
Tip — if using a credit card, plan to spend no less than about twelve dollars.

I love this bookstore! You never know what they’re going to have in here. I found several Italian language books, and picked up four for under 20 $. Not bad!
Definitely a great place to stop by and check out during a day walking around old town Manasses.

Have you ever entered a building and felt like you went back in time? I thought bookstores like Prospero’s were long gone. Walking in here was stepping into a different world. This is a used bookstore that has many books in a lot of subjects. The owners were helpful in finding books that relate to history, especially to this area. You like reading about the civil war? This bookstore is the Barnes and Noble of civil war history! They also have a rare books sections but I felt eerie about entering the room. It reminded me of restricted section from the Harry Potter books. Look out for the cat! It could be Mrs. Norris! Bookstores like Prospero’s should exist forever.

This is a great place with many hidden gems. I found an 80’s cookbook for microwaves among other things as well a Disney princess book for only 75 cents that I was able to add to my daughter’s collection. The rare collection was incredibly fun to browse and for no real reason other than to have it (and I honestly think it is interesting), I purchased a book from 1876 on sanitation in homes and towns. If you like unique or just plain quirky, then I highly recommend a stop at Prospero’s.

I love this bookstore.
I came here when it was under the previous name as well.
I have always enjoyed books and ever since I was a child I have been enchanted by little privately owned bookstores.
The smell, the atmosphere, the shelves full of books you won’t find available in the major name bookstores.
I’ve come in a few times while meandering thru Old Towne. The books I picked up were all in excellent condition. Spend about $ 20 a visit for a couple books. Not bad at all. Staff is friendly and conversational.
I’ll keep coming back.

The aged smell of old books is pervasive.
There probably isn’t a better place to find an extensive collection of books on a myriad of topics relative to the Civil War.
They have one section of books that’s marked with a sign that says ‘Books over 100 years old’.
The have maps, magazines and antique reproduction period photos of Civil War Generals.
The owner seemed very knowledgeable of what was in stock. Quite impressive consdering how you wander around in what feels like a maze of book shelves.
In an age where books in print are considered out dated, this place is quite unique.
Maybe I’ll go back and buy the 1965 edition of Life Magazine with JFK on the cover that recaps his 1^st 1,000 days in office by Arthur Schlesinger.

This bookstore is in the heart of Old Town Manassas, just next to the PaviIlion. We strolled through Old Town and stumbled across this store. We enjoyed this visit. Both kids found things to purchase, and I thought it was a nice collection of old and new books to look through. The gentleman who worked there gave us a little tour and another woman came to check on us frequently to make sure we were finding things ok. We’ll definitely be back to this great bookstore! Very pleasant place.

Here’s what I bought last time I was in here:
— 3 LIFE magazines, circa 1970. Vietnam, psychedelics and space.
— On the Road, hardback copy
— Frommer’s Travel Guide: London
— antique map of Ireland, printed in 1945
— Moneyball by Michael Lewis
Total: $ 42
This place has the perfect smell of old books, maps and 90+ years of occupancy. The wood floors are creaky. There’s a cat walking around. The owner is nice and can tell you exactly where to find biographies of Jules Verne.
Rock.