My foray into e-books

As much as I love physical books, it's fairly apparent that e-books will ultimately supplant their primacy for many types of publishing. Conventional books will undoubtedly still be produced far into the future, but they'll gradually become more marginalized as the mass market moves further toward electronic formats. This evolution is inevitable, as digital devices continue to integrate deeper into our lives with each generation. So it goes.

As a practical matter there certainly are some very appealing advantages to e-books. I've wanted to explore these for some time, so I recently decided to re-read a couple of familiar Vonnegut favorites as e-book editions. I purchased both from the iTunes bookstore, loaded them onto my iPhone and iPad, and then read them back-to-back, so to speak, over several days. By the time I was done I had become completely convinced of the utility of e-books and had begun planning my new e-book library.

Once I got past the tactile differences of the object itself, I found the reading experience to be very satisfactory, even for extended sessions. The interface options for visual customization and integrated reference tools were both welcome enhancements, but portability was the key benefit for me. The ability to have easy access to a book -- or a library -- on my iPhone with bookmarks that are automatically synchronized in the cloud for reading elsewhere on other devices is particularly useful. I rarely carry traditional books with me in public, but I always have my iPhone. Having a book I'm currently reading always in my pocket is very advantageous for extending its enjoyment. So much so that it has now become a priority for me when searching for new material.

The only downside I've experienced so far is on the supply side. While most new titles are available as e-books, there seems to be a dearth of older titles, even some of the more popular ones. Just as with music, I'm not only interested in buying new books, I want access to older ones as well. Apparently publishers have not rushed to embrace the mass conversion of backlists to digital the way the music industry did. The publishing industry is undoubtedly being cautious with their move into the digital market for financial reasons, but hopefully the momentum of consumer demand will soon open up more older titles. I'm a consumer, I have a credit card, and I'm waiting.

As I said at the outset, I love hardback books, and I'll always want to collect and read them for their own intrinsic value. But for reading efficiency and knowledge development e-books are an extraordinary new option well worth embracing. For my part, I now have an appreciation of both and you can certainly expect to find e-book titles covered here in the future.

The Swerve

The Swerve
How the World Became Modern
by Stephen Greenblatt
W.W. Norton, 2011

Comments:  I don't follow bestseller lists, preferring instead to rely on serendipity to find books that interest me, but occasionally I do take notice of a popular title. The Swerve has received a fair amount attention lately, most likely because of its somewhat provocative exploration of religious meaning. The book is about the early Renaissance rediscovery of a poem written around 100 BCE by the Roman poet Lucretius and the subsequent influence of that text on human knowledge.

The rather lengthy poem was found at a German monastery in 1417 by a humanist Italian scribe name Poggio Bracciolini who was specifically searching for written works from antiquity. Written in Latin and titled On the Nature of Things, the poem describes a scientific view of the world that is remarkably similar to our modern understanding of it, but also one that completely minimizes the role of any deity or religion in its unfolding. This was clearly considered dangerous and heretical in the Catholic-dominated culture where it re-emerged. Nonetheless, the rediscovery was important because it ultimately contributed greatly to the foundations of modern thinking. An impressive list of scientists, philosophers, artists, and statesmen are known to have studied Lucretius. His writing has clearly influenced some of the greatest minds since the Renaissance.

The story of the actual discovery is fascinating, but the real impact of the book -- and where it may unsettle some -- is the author's apparent objective embrace of a godless human existence. One chapter where the author outlines Lucretius' thesis point-by-point is particularly direct and powerful. Although modern society is generally more open to critical thinking about religion, the role of a deity in our lives is still a powerful belief that can arouse strong reactions to ideas as extreme as those of Lucretius. Beyond that, some readers will also be disturbed by the very unflattering light this book shines on the historical abuses of the Catholic church specifically. However, for anyone not afraid to explore their own spiritual beliefs and motivations, this book is a thought-provoking journey.

Copy Notes:  Hardback, later printing, color plates

The Elements of Typographic Style

The Elements of Typographic Style
version 3.2
by Robert Bringhurst
Hartley & Marks, 2008

Comments:  It would be difficult to overstate the importance of typography in graphic design. The purpose of graphic design is by definition to communicate a message to an audience and the use of type almost always plays a key role in that mission. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of typography and typesetting is essential for anyone serious about producing professional work in that field.

This book is probably the best place to begin for anyone committed to mastering typography. It has become something of classic in the design community and is widely regarded as one of the most important works on the subject. Bringhurst is an undisputed master of the topic and adeptly covers virtually every aspect, including the aesthetics of typeface selection, the mechanics of type layout and specification, historical perspectives on the evolution of typography, overviews of type foundries and designers, a glossary of characters and terms, and many other details. As one would expect, the book itself is a sumptuous specimen of fine typography and is its own best example of the merits of informed typographical practice.

Having hired, managed, and worked with numerous designers over my career, I've been amazed to find how much these skills have been neglected as the profession has evolved, particularly by novice designers. There are both academic and social reasons for this -- which is a lengthy topic in its own right -- but it remains important for designers to develop this knowledge in order to complete their professional skill set. Regardless of the aesthetic style of any graphic design project -- from elegant to deconstructive, or anywhere on that scale -- a thorough understanding of typography will always aid the designer. Even if the intent is to push the limits of convention, one should understand the practical implications of those choices. Familiarity with the wealth of information in this book will greatly help build that expert understanding. It has certainly had a powerful impact on my own relationship with the art and craft of typography.

Copy Notes:  My first copy of this book was the first paperback edition purchased almost 20 years ago, but the edition reviewed is a new hardback copy of the third edition I recently obtained. There are numerous type specimens and illustrations throughout the book, and a sewn-in ribbon bookmark. Of course.

An Odyssey in Print

An Odyssey in Print
Adventures In The Smithsonian Library
by Mary Augusta Thomas
Smithsonian Institute Press, 2002

Comments:  The Smithsonian Institution Libraries have one of the most extensive collections of books in the world. They contain countless volumes of great historical, scientific, or artistic importance, representing the best examples of recorded human endeavor throughout the entirety of printed history. This book, which was prepared by a curator of the Library to accompany an exhibition on its holdings, presents images if a small selection of notable works and brief descriptions about the provenance of each. It's essentially a coffee table book of old books, maps, and illustrations. Many of the works shown are priceless treasures that the public isn't likely to ever encounter anywhere else, and being able to browse these images is as close as most of us will ever come. The book's design and color reproductions are very well done, showing select pages, covers, spreads, handwritten notes, maps, and artwork, usually with no more than one image per work, but one that certainly conveys the uniqueness of each piece. There are also a couple of brief essays on the museum's collection and curatorship, but the real attraction is the objects themselves and their stories. If you love old books, this would be a wonderful addition to your bookshelf.

Copy Notes:  Hardback, first edition, color plates, sewn in bookmark ribbon

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession
by Allison Hoover Bartlett
Riverhead Books, 2009

Comments:  The inclination to collect physical objects of some sort is a common characteristic of most people, but for some the compulsion goes far beyond casual pursuit and into the realm of the rabid. For collectible objects of great value, such as rare books, it can even lead to criminal behavior. This book is about the intersecting lives of two men at the extremes of a passion for books: one an unrepentant thief of fine editions and the other a successful book dealer who's compelled to try and catch him.

This is basically a good old fashioned crime story. It also provides a great deal of background on how the book business works, particularly with regard to the trade and collecting of used and rare books. What's most remarkable about he story is that the author had an established a relationship with both men during the period that many of the books were stolen and had their complete involvement in documenting the events. This naturally created a certain amount of moral conflict for the author -- as it often does in journalistic writing -- and she brings her own struggle with these issues to the tale. But having the story so directly informed by the conflicting first-hand perspectives does much to flesh out the characters and add interest to the sequence of events.

This book will best be appreciated by those with an interest in book collecting. It provides enough insight beyond ordinary knowledge in that realm to make for an engaging read by book aficionados. It may also leave then wondering about the extent of their own passions on the relative scale of compulsion.

Copy Notes:  Hardback, first edition

Unpacking My Library: Architects and Their Books

Unpacking My Library: Architects and Their Books
edited by Jo Steffens
Yale University and Urban Center Books, 2009

Comments:  If your interests include both books and architecture, then this little book is sure to please. It consists of interviews with ten prominent architects about the books in their personal collections and includes photographs of select bookshelves, edition covers, and personal libraries for each. The interviews range from a discussion the merits of individual published works and profiles of book collecting preferences, to personal philosophies about finding meaning in architecture.

This book was originally produced to accompany an academic exhibition on the same topic and provides a fascinating snapshot of some of the best and most important books in this genre, as viewed by some of the most creative thinkers in the profession. What's not to like about that?

Copy Notes:  Hardback, first edition, numerous color photographs

Vitruvius On Architecture

Vitruvius On Architecture
by Thomas Gordon Smith
The Monacelli Press, 2003

Comments:  I've previously reviewed books about the sixteenth century Italian architect Andrea Palladio, and how his work helped to define what we now consider classic architectural style. But the man who most influenced Palladio's own development was a first century BC Roman architect and engineer named Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, known today simply as Vitruvius. None of Vitruvius' buildings still exist, but we do have copies of his writings. Most notably among them is his masterwork treatise Ten Books on Architecture, wherein he describes in detail all aspects of the proper design of numerous structures, including building, bridges, water works, military machines, and other constructions. Vitruvius is known both for his mechanical brilliance and his vision for the aesthetic merits of style and proportion. It was Vitruvius who gave us the first measure of successful architectural design: firmness, utility, and delight. Which is to say that architecture should be structurally sound, it should function well, and it should be beautiful. No attribute is any less important than the others.

This book is about Vitruvius' architectural thinking, as interpreted through a study of his famous treatise. It focuses mostly on those five of the ten books that deal specifically with buildings, and leaves aside the other forms of engineering Vitruvius also covered, so it will be of greatest interest to those who are curious about the architectural aspects of Vitruvius' legacy. The book is divided into two parts: an overall analysis of Vitruvius' work and its place in history, and a reprint of pertinent five books, translated into English from the original Greek and Latin. It is richly illustrated with numerous diagrams and photographs that help graphically support explanations of the Vitruvian principals.

This is a very good introduction to the life and work of one of the most important architectural thinkers in human history -- one whose impact on the use of proportion and style is still brilliantly practical today.

Copy Notes:  Hardback, first edition, numerous illustrations and photographs

The Professor and the Madman

The Professor and the Madman
A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary
by Simon Winchester
Harper Collins, 1998

Comments:  Winchester is an incredibly prolific writer who's enjoyed much popular success -- particularly with this book -- but this was my first experience with his work. He's clearly an adept storyteller, expertly suffusing historical source with a compelling dramatic suspense. Basically the story is about how a retired American military doctor, who was for many years confined to an insane asylum in Great Britain after committing a heinous murder while in a deranged mental state, goes on to be one of the most productive contributors to the first edition of Oxford English Dictionary. The structure of the story is built around the two intersecting lives of the doctor and the dictionary's editor, a relationship that was mostly conducted through personal correspondence, with neither man knowing much about the other until many years into their collaboration. It's truly a remarkable story and Winchester tells it masterfully. So much so that I've already added some of his other books to my reading list.

Copy Notes:  Hardback, first edition

Books, Boxes and Portfolios

Books, Boxes and Portfolios
Building, Construction, and Design Step-by-Step
by Frank Zeier
Design Press, 1990

Comments:  I'm something of a shade tree mechanic when it comes to doing my own book repairs. I've take a few short courses in bookbinding and papermaking and will profess that I love book crafts, so I'm always looking for guides that demonstrate the finer points. This is one of the better ones I've found on simple book binding and box building. It provides a guide to building a wide range of projects and is richly illustrated with hand drawn diagrams showing each technique. It's a book well worth having in your kit if you enjoy the challenges of glue management.

Copy Notes:  Hardback, later printing, illustrated

A B C for Book Collectors

A B C for Book Collectors
by John Carter
Alfred A. Knopf, 1988

Comments:  I don't know if I rank as a serious book collector, but I have made the commitment to learn the language of collecting and this book has been an excellent guide for getting started. The information is presented in glossary form with a lengthy list of well defined words, terms and concepts. I read it cover-to-cover years ago, but now use it more as a reference for all that I've inevitably forgotten. If you enjoy book collecting and want to learn more about the minutiae, this is a highly recommended reference to keep handy.

Copy Notes:  Hardback, fifth edition, revised