Method of binding a book

A method of binding a book, comprising:

• gathering and binding a plurality of signature pages into a book block, the inner edges of the signature pages defining a spine;
• vertically aligning first and second upper end pages, the first end page being topmost of the two end pages and having its inner edge spaced outwardly from the inner edge of the second end page;
• providing an upper flexible hinge strip;
• gluing the outer underside of said hinge strip to the upper surface of the inner portion of the first end page;
• gluing the inner underside of said hinge strip to the upper surface of the inner portion of the second end page;
• vertically aligning third and fourth lower end pages, the fourth end page being bottommost of the two end pages and having its inner edge spaced outwardly from the inner edge of the third end page.
• providing a lower flexible hinge strip;
• gluing the outer underside of said lower hinge strip to the upper surface of the inner portion of the fourth end page;
• gluing the inner underside of said hinge strip to the upper surface of the inner portion of the third end page;
• stacking the book block between the upper and lower end pages, the upper and lower end pages being positioned above and below the book block, respectively;
• sewing the hinge strips, first and fourth end pages and the inner portion of the book block together;
• and,
• gluing a cover to the exterior of the first and fourth end pages, the hinge strips and the spine of the book block, whereby said hinge strips are visible when the book is opened to the second upper end page or third lower end page.