Need for non-destructive, flexible means of examination of bookbindings is emphasized. American bindings present problems of attribution, since few are signed or inscribed, and there is a lack of historical pattern in shop techniques. Author presents brief history of American bookbinding, with glossary of terms and some selected bibliographic references. Examples of information provided by radiography of the few documented bindings are given. (Technical details are reviewed.) Information produced includes presence of woven rag remnants in the pasteboard, identification of scrap materials used in the spine, evidence of fake and real cords, pasted edges of cloth headband, etc. -- AATA