BF3s Book Club

2011-06-15 11:31:10

#1126

Jenspm: penis; +1,716|6953|St. Andrews / Oslo

Finished from Russia with Love... Meh.

Went to the book-store today for the first time in a while. Had to restrict myself as I realised I was shopping with Norwegian prices. Had 10 books in my arms at one point, narrowed it down to 3 as I weeded out the severely over-priced. Among the winners was Jack Kerouac's On the Road whose pocket-paperback edition was priced at 14 pounds. Shocking.

Bought Bill Bryson's Neither Here nor There, To Kill a Mockinbird and Mrs. Dalloway. Starting the latter tonight.

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2011-06-15 12:10:16

#1127

Uzique: dasein.; +2,865|6692

books are generally pretty damn expensive... and often i don't know why (even knowing the publishing industry rather well). you can pay £12.00 for a scarcely 100-page novella or short-story collection but then get a full blown novel from the same publisher for £7.00. i think a lot of it has to do with copyrights/estates and the number of each particular book they print... but still, wonderfully inconsistent and pleasantly fucking expensive!

on the road is a very cliche, token book... it's more important now because of its social prevalence than as-literature-itself. though his writing is very nice... it wears its influences on the proverbial sleeve (or should that be spine), and doesn't quite carry off the lyricism as well as those he admired. mocking bird... much the same, though to an even greater extent: the book is almost all social importance and little artistic merit. mrs. dalloway represents the other end of that spectrum: all artistry and extremely narrow social scope . unless you're particularly interested in the goings-on of upper-class bloomsbury set... but i digress, dalloway is by far the best written. i just re-read it about 2 weeks ago. woolf is a pleasure to read; it's just a shame she's not as good as proust or joyce, whom she admired and enviously reviled in equal measure. woolf's style and sensibility with the full accomplishment of proust/joyce in aesthetic expression would really achieve probably the greatest english prose around.

Last edited by Uzique (2011-06-15 12:10:58)

_{libertarian benefit collector - anti-academic super-intellectual}. _{http://mixlr.com/the-little-phrase/}

2011-06-15 12:26:39

#1128

Jenspm: penis; +1,716|6953|St. Andrews / Oslo

Aye, it's why I tend to rely on Amazon as they always sell below RRP (which for this edition of On the Road is £8.99). Which is a shame, really, because going to the store is a lot more fun and exciting.

And regarding Mrs Dalloway v TKAMB - yeah, that's the idea I had as well. Actually picked them partly because they were so different.

2011-06-17 06:08:43

#1129

Jenspm: penis; +1,716|6953|St. Andrews / Oslo

This may be a complete long-shot, but some of you might know.

Before next semester I'm meant to have acquired and familiarised myself with books by Aristotle, Kant, Mill and LaFollette. We've received a reading list, but with Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics and Mill's Utilitarianism a specific edition isn't specified.

I know with the former that finding a good translation is the biggest issue. Obviously, accuracy is important, but I don't want to be head-aching myself through an as-directly-translated-as-possible version where style is completely disregarded for the sake of accuracy. It is only an introductory module, mind, so perfect accuracy isn't as important as being easily able to achieve a general understanding. So, does anyone have any experience with the various editions or have any translations to recommend?

As for Mill, I can easily grab a copy for easy referencing for like, 3 pounds, but in addition I think I'd want one with an explanatory introduction, footnotes, end-notes, terminology help, etc. Which publishing houses are worth looking at for this? This one from Oxford Philosophical Texts seems pretty solid? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Utilitarianism- … amp;sr=1-2 . This point applies to Aristotle as well, actually.

Merci.

(I don't think it's that big a deal for this particular module, but I thought I might as well get some good editions)

Last edited by Jenspm (2011-06-17 06:09:43)

2011-06-17 06:21:43

#1130

Uzique: dasein.; +2,865|6692

if you just want a basic translation of the ideas then you can't go wrong with any translations published by a major house, tbh, e.g. penguin classics. the wording may not be exactly faithful to the original ancient greek or latin but it'll definitely translate the actual ideas/concepts clearly and in an understandable manner. if all you need to do is get a basic grasp of aristotle, kant, mill and lafollette then just get the reasonably-priced main editions - they'll never hire a shitty translation. occasionally, granted, a bad translation will get through that will have a few problems... but this is usually reflected in the amazon user reviews. to be honest the fine-points of translation and textuality are things for a literature student and a literature student only to worry about: just get the edition that is easiest to put your hands on and read it. you can even find easy online free editions of their major works on academic websites to do a cross-referencing comparison, if you'd like. don't put yourself to any trouble. just enjoy the ideas .

Last edited by Uzique (2011-06-17 06:22:26)

_{libertarian benefit collector - anti-academic super-intellectual}. _{http://mixlr.com/the-little-phrase/}

2011-06-17 07:15:33

#1131

Jenspm: penis; +1,716|6953|St. Andrews / Oslo

Aight, thanks

I'm really looking forward to this module, actually. It's one of the things I like the most about the Scottish/St. Andrews system - that you can branch out and do several subjects that are outside of your degree, more-so than the English system, or so I am told (you can, in theory, do your degree-subject and four others over the course of one academic year). I did Modern History last year, and really enjoyed it (ended up being my best grade, hah); this year I'm doing Moral & Political Philosophy.

And it's good because I don't know near enough about it, I feel. Broad education and that.

Anyways.

Yeah, grazzi.

2011-06-17 07:19:28

#1132

Uzique: dasein.; +2,865|6692

our (good) degrees focus on all that stuff, too. i did some history, politics, economics, philosophy, sociology, psychology, visual arts etc. etc. over the 3 years. if you're doing nothing but one highly-focussed subject then the arts/humanities department at your university is doing something very, very wrong. hell i was even doing scholastic philosophy and utilitarianism in a-level law, pre-university...

but yeah, enjoy

_{libertarian benefit collector - anti-academic super-intellectual}. _{http://mixlr.com/the-little-phrase/}

2011-06-17 07:26:59

#1133

Jenspm: penis; +1,716|6953|St. Andrews / Oslo

Ahh, alright then. I just keep hearing English-nationals here saying they wish they studied in England where they didn't have to take "stupid irrelevant subjects that have nothing to do with my degree". Which is silly for an arts degree, but oh well.

2011-06-17 07:32:19

#1134

Uzique: dasein.; +2,865|6692

well seeing as most art theory and criticism isn't purely aesthetic, i.e. only to do with principles of art and beauty, you kind of have to learn all the other stuff. i've covered pretty much every major area of philosophy and politics through the 3 years, because it all applies directly to the art or texts in question. there should be more to an arts or humanities degree than merely reading books and talking about the characters; 90% of the course is applying it to other things, as opposed to just core discussion of the text-in-itself.

Last edited by Uzique (2011-06-17 07:32:41)

_{libertarian benefit collector - anti-academic super-intellectual}. _{http://mixlr.com/the-little-phrase/}

2011-06-17 09:07:04

#1135

-CARNIFEX-[LOC]: Da Blooze; +111|6875

I picked up a like-new hardcover edition of Russell's A History of Western Philosophy for $7.95 at a local bookstore.

I don't have a problem reading challenging and/or lengthy material, but I also don't typically read philosophy or history for fun. I hope this will bring me out of my (thus far) deadbeat summer, and provide some quality mental stimulation.

Last edited by -CARNIFEX-[LOC] (2011-06-17 09:08:15)

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2011-06-17 09:08:09

#1136

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5579|London, England

I got it for free on Kindle

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2011-06-17 09:09:10

#1137

-CARNIFEX-[LOC]: Da Blooze; +111|6875

I would go into why I would prefer to have an actual physical copy of such a book, but I think that discussion's been had on here

2011-06-17 09:27:45

#1138

Uzique: dasein.; +2,865|6692

i've been re-reading the later segments of that actually, because it covers a lot of the philosophy/philosophers that i relied on heavily in my second and third years. interesting to see russell's take on them - particularly schopenhauer and nietzsche, and irrationalism in general. very interesting also to regard the book as a historical document before the outbreak of nazi aggression... it's full of proleptic guesses at the rising power of totalitarianism and the dangers of european idealism, from rousseau to kant to byron. extremely revealing.

good to see a recommendation taken up by so many people on here! especially considering it's such an intimidating title! +1 bf2s.

_{libertarian benefit collector - anti-academic super-intellectual}. _{http://mixlr.com/the-little-phrase/}

2011-06-17 10:25:12

#1139

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,053|6993|PNW

I think the mere fact that it had been brought up with such acclaim spurred a mass challenge-accepted.

2011-06-17 10:53:52

#1140

Uzique: dasein.; +2,865|6692

yeah because the exact same thing happens with ulysses... right?

_{libertarian benefit collector - anti-academic super-intellectual}. _{http://mixlr.com/the-little-phrase/}

2011-06-17 11:05:23

#1141

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,053|6993|PNW

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2011-06-17 11:38:44

#1142

Uzique: dasein.; +2,865|6692

you'd almost be led to believe, then, that russell's book is the single greatest book ever penned, if the book club reaction is anything to go by

(it isn't)

_{libertarian benefit collector - anti-academic super-intellectual}. _{http://mixlr.com/the-little-phrase/}

2011-06-17 13:11:25

#1143

Jenspm: penis; +1,716|6953|St. Andrews / Oslo

Going through some of the stuff my grandparents left us when they moved to their apartment (where they couldn't fit all their books).

There's just something about worn out paperbacks from 1950. And, being as amazing as he is (for us in the future, I mean if my dad did this shit I'd say he was a freak), he'd clip out reviews and relevant articles from newspapers and put them in the books. Which means I have have two 1980s NYTimes articles on Huckleberry Finn, for instance. I don't know, stuff like that just excites me.

I may just have to steal quite a few of these. I'm sure my parents won't mind.

Oh, and those penguin pocket books are priced at two Shilling, which afaik translates to 10p in today's system. Which is also fun.

Just a few I picked out:

https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5072/5842877745_10ac042d4b_z.jpg

2011-06-17 15:51:58

#1144

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,053|6993|PNW

Uzique wrote:
you'd almost be led to believe, then, that russell's book is the single greatest book ever penned, if the book club reaction is anything to go by

(it isn't)

Didn't say it'd happen every time, did I?

2011-06-17 16:49:03

#1145

Uzique: dasein.; +2,865|6692

Jenspm wrote:
Oh, and those penguin pocket books are priced at two Shilling, which afaik translates to 10p in today's system. Which is also fun.

Just a few I picked out:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5072/584 … 2d4b_z.jpg

hipster faggot literature students go crazy over the 'vintage' penguin editions... i know loads of kids that would get those faded green/peach paperbacks instead of the modern editions (i.e. the ones with actual critical notes and introductions)- just because they're 'vintage' and look good. they're disposable, which is great, but i don't see the great appeal. an old book has some charm but i prefer the hardback to the less-charming cheap version, which is only charming at all by virtue of its aged dustiness. haha. i've read all the books in that picture, too... conrad is just genius.

_{libertarian benefit collector - anti-academic super-intellectual}. _{http://mixlr.com/the-little-phrase/}

2011-06-18 03:03:07

#1146

Jenspm: penis; +1,716|6953|St. Andrews / Oslo

Hah! I'm not surprised they do.

I don't know though, I'm kind of a paper-back fan. I love the charm that comes with. Nothing will beat the old-fashioned leather-bound/heavy-duty hardbacks, but there's something refreshingly nice and common and un-pretentious about those old paperbacks. Trust hipsters to ruin this image, but there you go. I just think there's something kind of romantic about it. Shit, I sound like a hipster now, don't I? Never-mind then. You are kind of right though, it is the whole "oh wow, this thing is really worn out and 60 years old and stuff" thing that gives it its charm - it's not near as magical as good, solid hard-back editions.

I'd never buy those green mini-Penguin things for any other reason than the fact that they are dirt-cheap. But I've not yet got to that point, so yeah. Main-stream hardbacks today are kind of lame tbh, what with they're bright colours, cover-art and (often) glued spine. They just look cheap a lot of the time, and hard-backs can't really pull off 'cheap' like a paper-back can. If only they did it the old-fashioned way more often. Everyman's Library are really good for they're price, actually, once you take off the dust-cover. I rarely even consider hard-backs for regular books, though (especially if I haven't read them before), I'd hate to drag them around everywhere.

2011-06-18 05:23:52

#1147

Uzique: dasein.; +2,865|6692

http://www.amazon.com/Harvard-Classics- … B0013RC8I6

_{libertarian benefit collector - anti-academic super-intellectual}. _{http://mixlr.com/the-little-phrase/}

2011-06-18 08:49:27

#1148

DesertFox-: The very model of a modern major general; +796|6906|United States of America

I like paperbacks because they're cheap. In my glossy image of the future, I'll have money to buy hardcover books for my library. I appreciate they won't last as long, but I don't have the budget to spend 300% more for a hardback version. If I can get one for cheap, that's all the better, though. When Borders was going out of business, I picked up some sweet deals there.

2011-06-18 08:52:03

#1149

Uzique: dasein.; +2,865|6692

i normally always wait for new releases to hit the mass-market paperback... i have no qualms about it. i just don't see the appeal in old, worn out paperbacks, but that's just me. i'm the sort of reader that will shudder at a bent spine or an unnecessarily folded page (that is, in any books i'm not using for my studies). i'm currently waiting on david foster wallace's newly released post-humous work to hit paperback, because i don't want to spend £25.00 on a hardback first-edition, frankly.

_{libertarian benefit collector - anti-academic super-intellectual}. _{http://mixlr.com/the-little-phrase/}

2011-06-18 09:03:12

#1150

Jenspm: penis; +1,716|6953|St. Andrews / Oslo

Uzique wrote:
i'm the sort of reader that will shudder at a bent spine

as in creased? Or as in the spine curling?

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Jenspm wrote:

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