Hardcover
Videos
A hardcover, hard cover, or hardback book is one bound with rigid protective covers. It has a flexible, sewn spine which allows the book to lie flat on a surface when opened. Modern hardcovers may hav
A typical hardcover book (1899), showing wear
Old hardcover books at the Merton College library
The Holy Bible—Relievo leather‑bound edition (1864)
A King James Bible bound in blue faux-leather cloth
Dust jacket
Videos
The dust jacket of a book is the detachable outer cover, usually made of paper and printed with text and illustrations. This outer cover has folded flaps that hold it to the front and back book covers
Hardcover
…have flexible, easily damaged paper covers. Hardcover books are marginally more costly to manufacture. Hardcovers are frequently protected by artistic dust jackets, but a "jacketless" alternative has increased in popularity: these "paper-over-board" or "jacketless" hardcover bindings forgo the dust jacket in favor…
A dust jacket, propped up and partially unfolded for illustration
The back of a dust jacket, showing the ISBN
Front dust jacket art by Thelma Cudlipp for Don Marquis' Hermione and Her Little Group of Serious Thinkers, 1916.