The Observer’s literary editor Robert McCrum stood down this month after more than 10 years in the job. And what a tumultuous 10 years. When he started it was a world of ‘cigarettes, coffee and strong drink’. But that has all changed - new writers, big money, the internet, lucrative prizes and literary festivals have all helped revolutionise the books world. Here he charts the changes in 10 short chapters - and wonders if an ‘iPod moment’ is imminent.

Published online on Sunday, May 25 at the Guardian Unlimited. The ten short chapters are:

• Chapter 1: New Blood: Zadie Smith


• Chapter 2: Amazon


• Chapter 3: JK Rowling


• Chapter 4: The Corrections


• Chapter 5: Festivals


• Chapter 6: Prizes


• Chapter 7: Ian Mcewan


• Chapter 8 Blogs Vs Reviewing


• Chapter 9: Eats, Shoots & Leaves


• Chapter 10: The Kindle

You may also want also spend some time exploring the Guardian’s companion piece: A decade of books.