I found this gem while researching a recent acquisition.This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literatureForget the fact that the book in...
An Illuminating Visit to a New "Concept Borders" Store
Paul Constant, the book editor of the Stranger, got a tour of the new "Concept Borders" store in Seattle and shares his thoughts in his piece "The Future is Behind us Now."Constant uses a simple litmus test to determine the quality of a bookstore. If it stocks any novels by Stanley Elkin then " it's a sign of all-around quality" and is a place he would happily spend some time. There was no Elkin to be had at the new "Concept Borders" store. Strike one.During his visit to this new "behemoth temple to commerce" Constant was escorted by Tim Anderson,...
George A. Walker’s Nightlife
While in art school in the 1980's noted book artist and wood engraver George A. Walker had to keep a visual dream diary for one of classes. The assignment was simple- set your alarm clock every evening and when it goes it off in the morning "set to paper whatever fragments could be salvaged...before the fanciful thoughts dissipated in the harsh glare of dawn"Some 25 years later George A. Walker is still keeping his diary. Not only is he recording his dreamscapes on paper but he is producing an accompanying wood engraving! Walker says his "dream diary is a record...
Saudi Arabian Library Opens its Doors to Women
On August 4th, 2008 women in the Saudi coastal city of Dammam were able to use its library for the first unaccompanied.Until then they had to be "escorted by a male relative," said the library's director, Saad al-Harithi."It is a safe place for everyone, and especially for women, who use a special area just for them," al-Harithi said.The next steps says al-Harithi is "to create sections for children, to introduce them to literature."Well, maybe the Olympics are next. Currently the Saudi government bans Saudi women from participating in any major sporting event!Saudi Activist Wajeha al-Huwaider created this video in protest...
Arthur Jaffe Shows Off His Book Arts Collection
The Arthur & Mata Jaffe Center for Book Arts at Florida Atlantic University houses one of the best book art collections in the country.Connie Ogle has a great piece in The Miami Herald, "A new leaf: Revising the way we think about books and reading", on Jaffe and the collection.The collection has grown to some 12,000 items and offers "a dizzying array of subject matter and form."Commenting on the collection and the unique place book arts occupy in special collections, William Miller, director of FAU libraries, says ''It's a very unusual collection. It expands the concept of what a book...