Everyone knows which books people buy; they can just look at the best-seller lists. But who knows which books people steal? Who, for that matter, knows that authors ruin the book market by writing too much? Or why book critics are not critical? Or why librarians need to throw out more books? Who, indeed, knows the answer to that all-important question in our democracy: should presidents and presidential candidates write books? (The answer is no.) In this irreverent analysis of the book industry, John Maxwell Hamilton -- a ...
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Everyone knows which books people buy; they can just look at the best-seller lists. But who knows which books people steal? Who, for that matter, knows that authors ruin the book market by writing too much? Or why book critics are not critical? Or why librarians need to throw out more books? Who, indeed, knows the answer to that all-important question in our democracy: should presidents and presidential candidates write books? (The answer is no.) In this irreverent analysis of the book industry, John Maxwell Hamilton -- a longtime journalist and public radio commentator -- answers these questions and many more, proving that the best way to study books is not to take them too seriously. He provides a rich history of the book -- from the days when monks laboriously hand-copied texts to the tidal wave of Titanic tie-ins -- and gives a succinct overview of the state of the industry today, including writing, marketing, promoting, reviewing, ghostwriting, and collecting. Throughout, Hamilton peppers his prose with spicy tidbits of information that will fascinate bibliophiles everywhere. For instance, did you know that Walt Whitman was fired from a government job because his boss found Leaves of Grass, and its author, immoral? Or that the most stolen book in the United States is the Bible, followed by The Joy of Sex? How about that Dan Quayle's 1989 Christmas card read, ""May our nation continue to be a beakon of hope to the world""? Or that Casanova was an ardent lover of books as well as women? Hamilton offers an inside look at the history and business of book reviewing, explaining why, more often than not, reviewers resemble ""counselors at a self-esteem camp"" and examining the enormous impact of the ""Oprah effect"" on the market. As the self-appointed Emily Post of the book world, he advises publishers, authors, and readers on proper etiquette for everything from book parties (""Feel free to build a party around a theme in a book, no matter how tacky"") and jacket photos (""You should not show off your new baby unless [your] book [is] about raising kids""), to book signings (""Just because an author has given you an autograph does not mean they want to become your pen pal"") and promotion by friends and relatives (""They should carry the book at all times on public transportation with the cover showing""). Both edifying and enjoyable, Casanova Was a Book Lover fills a Grand Canyon--sized void in the literature on literature. It is indispensable for book enthusiasts who want to know the naked truth about reading, writing, and publishing.
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Add this copy of Casanova Was a Book Lover: and Other Naked Truths and to cart. $23.87, good condition, Sold by Anybook rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lincoln, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2000 by Louisiana State University Press.
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Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 850grams, ISBN: 9780807125540.
Add this copy of Casanova Was a Book Lover: and Other Naked Truths and to cart. $11.23, good condition, Sold by Midtown Scholar Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Harrisburg, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by LSU Press.
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Good-Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name-GOOD Standard-sized.
Add this copy of Casanova Was a Book Lover: and Other Naked Truths and to cart. $12.40, very good condition, Sold by Archer's Used & Rare Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Kent, OH, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Louisiana State University Press.
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Near Fine Condition. Multiple copies available this title. Quantity Available: 2. Category: Books on Books; ISBN: 0807125547. ISBN/EAN: 9780807125540. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 12846.
Add this copy of Casanova Was a Book Lover: and Other Naked Truths and to cart. $13.37, very good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Lsu Press.
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Very Good. Very Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp.
Add this copy of Casanova Was a Book Lover: and Other Naked Truths and to cart. $14.50, like new condition, Sold by Bookfeathers LLC rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lewisburg, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Louisiana State University.
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Fine in Fine jacket. Neither remainder nor ex-lib. Hardcover in red cloth, in white glossy jacket with doctored Valentino/Sheik still to front, 8vo. xiv + 351pp. + note on author. Index, notes on sources, illustrations. Fine/Fine. Book has short creases from former fold at tip of lower corner pp.271-72; jacket has 1/2" surface scratch lower rear panel. Book and jacket are otherwise as new: bright, tight, sharp and unmarked. Jacket in Brodart.
Add this copy of Casanova Was a Book Lover: and Other Naked Truths and to cart. $15.00, good condition, Sold by Jonathan Grobe Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Deep River, IA, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Louisiana State University Press.
Add this copy of Casanova Was a Book Lover and Other Naked Truths and to cart. $17.00, very good condition, Sold by Windows Booksellers rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Eugene, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Penguin Books.
Add this copy of Casanova Was a Book Lover: and Other Naked Truths and to cart. $20.50, very good condition, Sold by BookHouse On-Line rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Minneapolis, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by LSU Press.
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Very Good in Very Good jacket. First Printing with full number line. Binding is tight, sturdy, and square; boards and text also very good. DJ protected in Mylar wraps. NOT an ex-library copy, NO remainder mark. Ships from Dinkytown in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Add this copy of Casanova Was a Book Lover: and Other Naked Truths and to cart. $22.00, like new condition, Sold by SELG Inc. Booksellers rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from New York, NY, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by LSU Press.
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Fine in Very Good jacket. Size: 6x1x9; Hardcover with dust jacket. First Edition. Stated First printing (complete number line). Clean and tight. No markings. Dust jacket is price-clipped and has very slight edge wear. Ships from NYC.
Add this copy of Casanova Was a Book Lover to cart. $27.00, very good condition, Sold by Dave Wilhelm Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Evanston, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Louisana State University Press.
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Very Good in Very Good jacket. First Printing Stated. Full number line. Includes a letter from the author to Howard Tyner, Editor of the Chicago Tribune.
