In order to realize a particularly compact binding-in machine (40), the pressing devices (41) with the firmly assigned joint forming devices (42) can be driven along a circulation path that essentially lies in a vertical plane, wherein the pressing plates (41.1) of the pressing devices (41) are oriented parallel to this plane. The pressing devices (41) and the joint forming devices (42) are simply arranged on a rotor (40.3) that rotates about a horizontal axis (40.4), wherein the axis of rotation (40.4) of the rotor is oriented perpendicular to the pressing plates (41.0). This significantly simplifies the infeed and the delivery of the books (1).