Good morning bookies! It's bright and cool here in West Tennessee, most unusual for late August. We should be baking and we're not.
So, Friday I was at the local Memphis Public Library book sale. I spent all morning there. I bought two books. It was dreadful. The library is now skimming off what they consider their best books and selling them on ebay. So, who is determining what books are what? 'Why, we are!' one befuddled woman told me. 'We even sold a first edition the other day!"
God only knows what that book was they sold, whether it was first edition or a 20th. I can assure you this woman would not have known. But obviously whatever they had, if was not at the sale. Nothing but crap, beat up ex-library copies that have been around that sale for years now. A complete waste of time. If you're thinking about going to a Memphis sale in the future, I wouldn't bother. Unless, of course, you're just looking for something to read and don't mind the copy being a bit beat up, in which case you'll probably find something.
*** Technically speaking, ancient tablets were the books of their time and so are germane to this blog about books. Right? Right. And it's right in the wheelhouse of my imagination's strike zone that the linked article describes archaeologists finding Turkish tablets more than 2700 years old, tablets that don't just list the day to day activities of a temple, but also might verify facts concerning the Persian Empire's expansionist tendencies in those days. Amazing people, amazing stuff. To put this in a time context, these tablets were contemporary to the founding of Rome.
Ancient Persian tablets found
*** A signed copy of Mein Kampf was recently sold at auction and, I must say, it went for less than I would have thought, 21,000 pounds, or roughly $38,000. Not only that, this copy was inscribed by Hitler to a fellow inmate at Landsberg Prison. Inscriptions from Hitler are quite rare. On the other hand, the book is more or less unreadable, the passages are so tangled and dense and rambling that one can look quite a while for coherence, without finding it. Not that anyone buying such a book would actually read it, mind you.
Signed Mein Kampf under the gavel
*** During World War II Germany created, or came close to creating, or at least thought about creating, a whole series of extraordinary, far-ahead-of-their-time weapons. The first stealth aircraft, the first operational jet fighter, the first operational rocket fighter, the first jet bomber, smart bombs with TV sets built into their nose, (and those were actually used in the war, too)...and, of course, the famed V2 rocket, the first ballistic missile, still the basis for most so-called SCUD missiles in use throughout the world. And for that particular little bit of worrisome hardware we can thank one Werner Von Braun.
Of course, after the war von Braun came to America and helped put us on the moon, so before we go getting all indignant let's remember that while Braun might have been a Nazi scientist, he was our Nazi scientist.
That, at least, seems to be the general thought behind Dark side of the Moon: Wehrner von Braun, the Third Reich, and the Space Race by Wayne Biddle. Von Braun was a rocket scientist, he designed and built the much feared V2 for Hitler, a weapon that killed thousands in London and Antwerp. But he was also a German and his country was at war. Like fellow scientists in the USSR, saying 'no' to research that could be used for weapons was not an option. If you weren't useful, then you were taking up valuable resources.
Von Braun was a fascinating man and this might be one book I seek out to read.
A needed biography of Werner von Braun
*** The subject of the Italian resistance during World War II, the roving bands of guerillas who made life so miserable for the Germans and Fascist Italians after Italy's surrender in 1943, is a subject almost begging for a good book to detail all of its many aspects. And, based on this review below, it still needs one. Or maybe the book that has been written just needs a better reviewer.
The headline of this book review mentions the book being biased; it's hard to imagine the book is more biased than the reviewer. I mean, come on! How am I supposed to take you seriously when you're using the subject of a review to launch your own political spin about modern Italian politics? This guy is obviously a leftist outraged that Italy was not allowed to become a communist country. Give me a break.
However, given the paucity of information available on this particular topic, the book does fill an important need. Now it just needs a better reader.
World War II behind the lines in Italy
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
THE WINTER OF THE WORLD TRILOGY by Michael Scott Rohan
The Anvil of Ice, The forge in the Forest & The Hammer of the Sun by Michael Scott Rohan. All three published by Morrow, 1986, 1987, 1988 respectively. All octavo hardbacks. First editions noted by the usual Morrow method of number lines down to '1.' Anvil has cream quarter cloth, brown paper boards. Forge & Hammer by have white quarter cloth with white boards. The paper is slightly better than average and not so prone to toning. First two have jackets by Kinuko Craft, the third is by Anne Yvonne Gilbert. They are all fairly heavy, noting good
constructio
n.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Poppy Z. Brite LOST SOULS 10th Anniversary Ed.
Poppy Z. Brite's Lost Souls is a cult classic among those who savor erotic, hard-core horror. To commemorate this seminal work, Gauntlet Press in 2002 came out with a limited edition 10th Anniversary Edition of this book. The binding is black leather with silver gilt and lettering. Pages are heavy, low acid and built to last. The limitation page is signed with the
book's number, this particular copy was signed again by Poppy. 
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
STRANGER FROM THE DEPTHS by Gerry Turner
STRANGER FROM THE DEPTHS by Gerry Turner. Doubleday, 1967. First edition statement, as typical of Doubleday title from this period. Boards are full light green cloth. The very attractive wrap-around jacket shows influences from the period, a psychedelic influence, and was done by Emanuel Schongut. A bit prone to leaning, pages are fairly resistant to toning except for the edges. No numbers for print run available.
ETERNITY ROAD by Jack McDevitt
The striking front cover portrays a post-Armageddon painting of Memphis, TN., my hometown, done by Joe Danini. The construction is a typical HarperPrism volume of the late 90's, with a propensity for toning. Binding is quarter black cloth with red paper boards. First edition statement is a standard number line beginning with '1.'
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Update
Good morning bookies!
No, I haven't gone exploring the world that comes after this one. And no, I haven't forgotten about this blog. This has just been another one of those summer's where other people seem to need my time and attention more than I do, and it makes it hard to keep up. My apologies. Also, an annoying, frustrating and uncomfortable (but ultimately minor) medical condition has really messed things up, too.
So this is an official 'I'm sorry.' I anticipate things lightening up soon. At least, I hope they do.
In the meantime, my best to you all.
No, I haven't gone exploring the world that comes after this one. And no, I haven't forgotten about this blog. This has just been another one of those summer's where other people seem to need my time and attention more than I do, and it makes it hard to keep up. My apologies. Also, an annoying, frustrating and uncomfortable (but ultimately minor) medical condition has really messed things up, too.
So this is an official 'I'm sorry.' I anticipate things lightening up soon. At least, I hope they do.
In the meantime, my best to you all.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
ebay's latest round of seller bashing
Good day bookies! Just a quick comment on the latest nonsense from ebay.
*** So ebay is, once again, changing the rules of their game. Are they finally giving their hard-pressed sellers a break and letting buyers share some of the responsibility for a sale? Nope. They are, yet again, bashing their sellers over the head and stomping on their toes. Buyers who want to scam sellers have a virtual license to do so from ebay.
I stopped selling there in April, 2008, and boy has life been sweet ever since. (Except for all the parts that aren't so sweet, that is) And even though I left with 100% positive feedback and before they began whacking small sellers in the face with a shovel, I still had some problems with deadbeat buyers. I can only imagine the nightmare it must be today. In essence, a buyer can hold a seller hostage. Once an item is received, all the buyer has to do is claim that it is not as described, and the burden of proof falls on the seller to prove that it is an described. How does one do that, exactly? Well, one doesn't. Thus the problem. Or a buyer might claim that an item did not arrive. ebay and Paypal will always side with the buyer, regardless of what evidence is presented, at least according to every forum and message board that your friendly neighborhood bookseller frequents, which is quite a few.
It should be remembered that ebay does not want you to sell your homemade candles there anymore, or your one-of-a-kind embroidered shawl, or that rare book that never comes up for sale. They are doing everything they can to make small sellers leave, because small sellers are too...well, small. ebay doesn't want interesting, quirky items on the site anymore. They want homogenization, they want sameness and blandness, they don't want 'neat.'
Here's a link to their announcement of all the new rules.
Sticking it to sellers, reprise
*** So ebay is, once again, changing the rules of their game. Are they finally giving their hard-pressed sellers a break and letting buyers share some of the responsibility for a sale? Nope. They are, yet again, bashing their sellers over the head and stomping on their toes. Buyers who want to scam sellers have a virtual license to do so from ebay.
I stopped selling there in April, 2008, and boy has life been sweet ever since. (Except for all the parts that aren't so sweet, that is) And even though I left with 100% positive feedback and before they began whacking small sellers in the face with a shovel, I still had some problems with deadbeat buyers. I can only imagine the nightmare it must be today. In essence, a buyer can hold a seller hostage. Once an item is received, all the buyer has to do is claim that it is not as described, and the burden of proof falls on the seller to prove that it is an described. How does one do that, exactly? Well, one doesn't. Thus the problem. Or a buyer might claim that an item did not arrive. ebay and Paypal will always side with the buyer, regardless of what evidence is presented, at least according to every forum and message board that your friendly neighborhood bookseller frequents, which is quite a few.
It should be remembered that ebay does not want you to sell your homemade candles there anymore, or your one-of-a-kind embroidered shawl, or that rare book that never comes up for sale. They are doing everything they can to make small sellers leave, because small sellers are too...well, small. ebay doesn't want interesting, quirky items on the site anymore. They want homogenization, they want sameness and blandness, they don't want 'neat.'
Here's a link to their announcement of all the new rules.
Sticking it to sellers, reprise
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Just one of those Sundays
Good day bookies! Stand by for news and comment.
Okay, first, I know that I said this blog would be more frequent now that personal stuff was out of the way, but that was premature. More personal stuff came up. Sorry about that. I'll do my best, but ailing relatives need attention and I'm the only one who can give it.
*** The list of authors for The Southern Festival of Books is finally out, and the first name on the list is the most exciting. Buzz Aldrin will be there. That's right, the original Moonwalker will be on hand to sign autographs and hold a seminar. Not sure what the agenda will be yet but I'm sure it will be special. Your friendly neighborhood bookseller might be there this year.
Authors scheduled for the Southern Festival of Books
*** A round-up of book reviews, starting with three Texas mysteries including the new one from David Morrell.
Texas Times Three
*** Sometimes, the causes of the politically correct are so convoluted that it's hard to disentangle where one perceived insult stops and another one starts. Such is the case with a new book on the diaspora of the Jewish intelligentsia from Germany during the time of the Third Reich. Flight From the Reich: Refugee Jews, 1933-1946 by Deborah Dwork and Robert Jan van Pelt does not sound like the sort of books that Jewish scholars would get all mad about, does it? Except that those involved in the Holocaust, either as survivors or their families, or as scholars, want that piece of history all to themselves. The authors of Flight recall that at a presentation they were once asked "what does the history of Jewish refugees have to do with the Holocaust?"
Since when is victimization by the Nazis a zero sum game? Are those who were able to flee before becoming caught up in the Nazi death machinery somehow unworthy of being included in its victims? It's very strange.
This book does, however, appear to be a welcome addition to the burgeoning literature on one major cause of Germany's failure in World War II, namely, its brain drain. It has long been one of my beliefs that aside from the Holocaust's insanity, in and of itself, on sheer practical terms the loss of all of that technical expertise in fields the Nazis found themselves critically short of once war came, everything from nuclear science to factory management, was deadly stupidity.
The Jewish diaspora from Nazi Germany
*** And so Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes, has died from cancer. I never had the chance to meet Mr. McCourt, but by all accounts he was a fine man and I'm sorry that he's gone.
*** As something of a companion volume to the above comes another new book about why Hitler lost the war, contained in a one volume history. One of the recurring themes is that Hitler lost the war because he put Nazi rhetoric into practice, something I have believed for a long while now, so I may read this one myself. The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War. By Andrew Roberts. Allen Lane: 712 pages. 25 pounds. (Yikes!) To be published in the US by HarperCollins in 2011.
This seems to be a trend among historians, focusing on the economic causes of the war and their impact on the battlefield. This is all to the good, if the historian is good enough to make it interesting.
Hitler lost because he was Hitler
*** In addition to the above link, another reviewer weighs in with what they felt was new about the book, the rather old discovery that the German Wehrmacht was ill-prepared for winter war in Russia in 1941. Apparently Roberts' one-volume history is interesting enough to excite the reviewers, which is good. But come on, writing a whole article about the Germans shivering in the snows of Russia?
No.
Really?
Who knew? Or, rather, who didn't know? Frankly, I expect better than this from the Telegraph.
Another look at Roberts' new book.
*** And now, because the fascination with Nazism and Hitler seems matched only by the revulsion for same, there is yet another book another yet another lower level Nazi functionary that uses the premise to bash both the UK and the USA for their post-war use of former enemies to stave off future enemies.
Hunting Evil by Guy Walters is about Nazis used by MI6 and the CIA just after World War II at the beginning of the Cold War. The author is outraged that this happened. Which is understandable. But he wrote this article in English, not in Russian, so it isn't all bad. And it's not like the Russians didn't also use former Nazis that fell into their hands against the West.
If there's one thing I hate, really despise, it's second-guessing decades after the event has occurred. Unless, of course, it's me that's doing it.
More Nazis used by the West
Okay, first, I know that I said this blog would be more frequent now that personal stuff was out of the way, but that was premature. More personal stuff came up. Sorry about that. I'll do my best, but ailing relatives need attention and I'm the only one who can give it.
*** The list of authors for The Southern Festival of Books is finally out, and the first name on the list is the most exciting. Buzz Aldrin will be there. That's right, the original Moonwalker will be on hand to sign autographs and hold a seminar. Not sure what the agenda will be yet but I'm sure it will be special. Your friendly neighborhood bookseller might be there this year.
Authors scheduled for the Southern Festival of Books
*** A round-up of book reviews, starting with three Texas mysteries including the new one from David Morrell.
Texas Times Three
*** Sometimes, the causes of the politically correct are so convoluted that it's hard to disentangle where one perceived insult stops and another one starts. Such is the case with a new book on the diaspora of the Jewish intelligentsia from Germany during the time of the Third Reich. Flight From the Reich: Refugee Jews, 1933-1946 by Deborah Dwork and Robert Jan van Pelt does not sound like the sort of books that Jewish scholars would get all mad about, does it? Except that those involved in the Holocaust, either as survivors or their families, or as scholars, want that piece of history all to themselves. The authors of Flight recall that at a presentation they were once asked "what does the history of Jewish refugees have to do with the Holocaust?"
Since when is victimization by the Nazis a zero sum game? Are those who were able to flee before becoming caught up in the Nazi death machinery somehow unworthy of being included in its victims? It's very strange.
This book does, however, appear to be a welcome addition to the burgeoning literature on one major cause of Germany's failure in World War II, namely, its brain drain. It has long been one of my beliefs that aside from the Holocaust's insanity, in and of itself, on sheer practical terms the loss of all of that technical expertise in fields the Nazis found themselves critically short of once war came, everything from nuclear science to factory management, was deadly stupidity.
The Jewish diaspora from Nazi Germany
*** And so Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes, has died from cancer. I never had the chance to meet Mr. McCourt, but by all accounts he was a fine man and I'm sorry that he's gone.
*** As something of a companion volume to the above comes another new book about why Hitler lost the war, contained in a one volume history. One of the recurring themes is that Hitler lost the war because he put Nazi rhetoric into practice, something I have believed for a long while now, so I may read this one myself. The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War. By Andrew Roberts. Allen Lane: 712 pages. 25 pounds. (Yikes!) To be published in the US by HarperCollins in 2011.
This seems to be a trend among historians, focusing on the economic causes of the war and their impact on the battlefield. This is all to the good, if the historian is good enough to make it interesting.
Hitler lost because he was Hitler
*** In addition to the above link, another reviewer weighs in with what they felt was new about the book, the rather old discovery that the German Wehrmacht was ill-prepared for winter war in Russia in 1941. Apparently Roberts' one-volume history is interesting enough to excite the reviewers, which is good. But come on, writing a whole article about the Germans shivering in the snows of Russia?
No.
Really?
Who knew? Or, rather, who didn't know? Frankly, I expect better than this from the Telegraph.
Another look at Roberts' new book.
*** And now, because the fascination with Nazism and Hitler seems matched only by the revulsion for same, there is yet another book another yet another lower level Nazi functionary that uses the premise to bash both the UK and the USA for their post-war use of former enemies to stave off future enemies.
Hunting Evil by Guy Walters is about Nazis used by MI6 and the CIA just after World War II at the beginning of the Cold War. The author is outraged that this happened. Which is understandable. But he wrote this article in English, not in Russian, so it isn't all bad. And it's not like the Russians didn't also use former Nazis that fell into their hands against the West.
If there's one thing I hate, really despise, it's second-guessing decades after the event has occurred. Unless, of course, it's me that's doing it.
More Nazis used by the West
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Wizard Children of Finn by Mary Tannen
The Wizard Children of Finn by Mary Tannen. Knopf, 1981. The first edition statement is the standard Knopf. Quarter cloth in purple, green paper boards. Cover price is $8.95. Author's photo appears on the rear inside fold. All in all a fairly standard offering from Knopf of thie period, probably a little more attention to detail than most of its kind in this pre-Harry Potter ear when YA fantasies were not taken seriously.Quite scarce in the early 21st century. The paper is of a medium weight stock but is fairly high acid. Toning would be common with this book.
Mid July and it's not hot
Good morning bookies! Stand by for news and comment.
The highs in Memphis this weekend will be in the mid 80's. That's right, about 10 degrees below normal for July. This great weather is scary.
***Ted Kennedy's auto-biography, co-written with the co-author of Flags of Our Fathers Rom Powers, has been slated for a companion deluxe edition to accompany the trade edition. True Compass will have a 1,000 copy print run bound in leather and selling for $1k a pop. That's one way to quickly get back 1/8th of the reported $8 million advance. The special edition will be 'electronically signed', which sounds to me like a euphemism for an auto-pen signature, the sort of autograph that is worthless to collectors. Michael Crichton did this with the deluxe edition of The Lost World, but his only sold for about $35.
So, forgive me for being cynical, but this sounds like one of those books that political cronies and wealthy friends will buy and stick on a shelf as an obligation, a rather back-handed way to funnel money to the publisher to thank them for funneling money Teddy's way. And if I sounds irritated, it's because I am. How many worthy authors are out there trying to sell exciting and important books to cash-strapped publishers who insist on pumping out mega-numbers of this sort of twaddle? Does they actually expect to sell anything approaching half of the 1.5 million initial print run from this book? Good grief, I'll be surprised if they sell even a third of them. Meanwhile we will continue to read how the economy is killing book sales. Maybe if publisher's paid more attention to selling good books and less to selling bloated and self-serving political monuments their bottom line might look a little better.
Of course, no matter how bad this book might turn out to be, no matter how self-serving Teddy's cathartic ramblings are, they cannot possibly wind up being the worst book published this summer.
Not with the sequel to The Da Vinci Code coming.
Kennedy's book
*** We aren't that far from the 2009 Southern Festival of Books, which takes place in Nashville the second weekend of October. I have held off commenting because it would be nice to put up a link to this year's lineup of authors, which is scheduled to be published on July 1. It never is, of course, it's usually around the 10th, so that's why I haven't said anything before this. But come on, people, today is the 15th and the Festival is less than three months away! If someone from out of town wants to attend, but is waiting to see the lineup first (in other words, me), do you have to wait until almost the last second to give us a heads up? If I do attend there are lots of details to get set up and you are making this very difficult.
Having said that, the Festival is a bunch of fun, there are always too many authors to possibly meet them all and the biggest danger is overspending on books. In other words, if you're reading this blog then it's the kind of event that would set your hair on fire.
*** I realize that we are all used to idiotic ideas coming out of Washington, but it appears that stupidity no longer knows any restraint, as some moronic Democrat think tank proposes giving every student in America that hell-spawned device known as a Kindle. That's right, spending tax money on one of the nastiest inventions of the last hundred years, as we all wallow in a recession. This is further proof that if you want to write a novel more outrageous than reality, the bar is set very high. The good news is that it seems unlikely to happen, but for people just to consider this shows how far we have fallen as a civilization.
One of the worst ideas in the history of Man
*** I see where George Carlin's biography is due for release in November. Carlin was an American original and I can only imagine the stories he had to tell, which it appears he put down in Last Words.
George Carlin has his final say
*** I note with sadness that the founder of SFF's seminal magazine on the industry, Locus, the innovative editor Charles N. Brown, died July 12. Behind me as I write this are boxes filled with decades worth of Locus issues, if you wanted to work in the SFF field, or keep up with it or just read some great reviews and interviews, that was/is your magazine of choice.
RIP Charles N. Brown
The highs in Memphis this weekend will be in the mid 80's. That's right, about 10 degrees below normal for July. This great weather is scary.
***Ted Kennedy's auto-biography, co-written with the co-author of Flags of Our Fathers Rom Powers, has been slated for a companion deluxe edition to accompany the trade edition. True Compass will have a 1,000 copy print run bound in leather and selling for $1k a pop. That's one way to quickly get back 1/8th of the reported $8 million advance. The special edition will be 'electronically signed', which sounds to me like a euphemism for an auto-pen signature, the sort of autograph that is worthless to collectors. Michael Crichton did this with the deluxe edition of The Lost World, but his only sold for about $35.
So, forgive me for being cynical, but this sounds like one of those books that political cronies and wealthy friends will buy and stick on a shelf as an obligation, a rather back-handed way to funnel money to the publisher to thank them for funneling money Teddy's way. And if I sounds irritated, it's because I am. How many worthy authors are out there trying to sell exciting and important books to cash-strapped publishers who insist on pumping out mega-numbers of this sort of twaddle? Does they actually expect to sell anything approaching half of the 1.5 million initial print run from this book? Good grief, I'll be surprised if they sell even a third of them. Meanwhile we will continue to read how the economy is killing book sales. Maybe if publisher's paid more attention to selling good books and less to selling bloated and self-serving political monuments their bottom line might look a little better.
Of course, no matter how bad this book might turn out to be, no matter how self-serving Teddy's cathartic ramblings are, they cannot possibly wind up being the worst book published this summer.
Not with the sequel to The Da Vinci Code coming.
Kennedy's book
*** We aren't that far from the 2009 Southern Festival of Books, which takes place in Nashville the second weekend of October. I have held off commenting because it would be nice to put up a link to this year's lineup of authors, which is scheduled to be published on July 1. It never is, of course, it's usually around the 10th, so that's why I haven't said anything before this. But come on, people, today is the 15th and the Festival is less than three months away! If someone from out of town wants to attend, but is waiting to see the lineup first (in other words, me), do you have to wait until almost the last second to give us a heads up? If I do attend there are lots of details to get set up and you are making this very difficult.
Having said that, the Festival is a bunch of fun, there are always too many authors to possibly meet them all and the biggest danger is overspending on books. In other words, if you're reading this blog then it's the kind of event that would set your hair on fire.
*** I realize that we are all used to idiotic ideas coming out of Washington, but it appears that stupidity no longer knows any restraint, as some moronic Democrat think tank proposes giving every student in America that hell-spawned device known as a Kindle. That's right, spending tax money on one of the nastiest inventions of the last hundred years, as we all wallow in a recession. This is further proof that if you want to write a novel more outrageous than reality, the bar is set very high. The good news is that it seems unlikely to happen, but for people just to consider this shows how far we have fallen as a civilization.
One of the worst ideas in the history of Man
*** I see where George Carlin's biography is due for release in November. Carlin was an American original and I can only imagine the stories he had to tell, which it appears he put down in Last Words.
George Carlin has his final say
*** I note with sadness that the founder of SFF's seminal magazine on the industry, Locus, the innovative editor Charles N. Brown, died July 12. Behind me as I write this are boxes filled with decades worth of Locus issues, if you wanted to work in the SFF field, or keep up with it or just read some great reviews and interviews, that was/is your magazine of choice.
RIP Charles N. Brown
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