Abstract: A book and book binding method are provided which yields a book having a flat spine which is easily printed during binding. Advantageously, the book includes a mechanical binding passing through the exterior at four locations which strengthens the binding, and yet allows unrestricted movement of the exterior and pages through a 180.degree. arc. The book includes front and back exterior sections, each section having adjoining cover, margin and spine tab. The mechanical binding extends through aligned holes in the back and front covers and intervening pages, and through the aligned holes of the front and back margins. The front and back spine tabs are adhesively overlapped to form a generally flat spine. The binding method is particularly advantageous in that the exterior is easily printed before binding and permits a printed flat spine.