Scan barcode
Reviews
Every Book Its Reader: The Power of the Printed Word to Stir the World by Nicholas A. Basbanes
amibunk's review against another edition
3.0
I tried to love this book because it felt as if it should be loved. Alas, I could only 'merely' like it.
There were two problems in this book for me. First, it doesn't have a clear organization to it. Mr. Basbanes writes this book in a type of sophisticated stream of consciousness that makes it difficult to predict what topic will come next. At times I was pleasantly surprised with his choices. In fact the section of what the U.S. presidents read was probably my favorite. But the meandering did make it difficult for me to enjoy the book as a whole.
Secondly, Mr. Basbanes is a capable reader and I consider myself to have a decent intellect, but some of the sections were quite dense and filled with names of people I have never heard of before.
All in all, I didn't care for this book as much as I would have liked.
There were two problems in this book for me. First, it doesn't have a clear organization to it. Mr. Basbanes writes this book in a type of sophisticated stream of consciousness that makes it difficult to predict what topic will come next. At times I was pleasantly surprised with his choices. In fact the section of what the U.S. presidents read was probably my favorite. But the meandering did make it difficult for me to enjoy the book as a whole.
Secondly, Mr. Basbanes is a capable reader and I consider myself to have a decent intellect, but some of the sections were quite dense and filled with names of people I have never heard of before.
All in all, I didn't care for this book as much as I would have liked.
jobinsonlis's review against another edition
4.0
There were moments when Basbanes lost me (and one particular Bloom-filled section that riled me up) but this is an extraordinary book about books and their readers. Basbanes is a devoted and passionate bibliophile and this book is a celebration of that obsession in himself and others. I get it.
amandabock's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this up on a whim at the Harvard Book Store sometime early last spring when I was feeling like I wasn't reading enough grown-up books. I read the first half and really enjoyed it, but then got distracted by some other book that needed to be read. I picked it up again when I needed something to read while I waited for the next group of requests from the library. I picked up where I left off a year ago, and slipped right back into it.
I particularly enjoyed the first few chapters, which discussed some of the earliest known literature and how our relationship to it changes over time. I made a lot of notes in the margins about the correlations to my own ideas about the cultural history of fairy tales.
This book made me even more aware of the gaping holes in my knowledge of literature. I wasn't an English major in college because I didn't want to have to read all those Dead White Males (and after reading chapter 10, I have a better understanding of where that came from), but now I realize how much I've missed out on. Of course, it would take most of a lifetime to get caught up, but I may have to try to tackle one each summer, or something like that.
I was really, genuinely sad when I reached the last chapter, and I wanted to immediately start it over again. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in cultural studies or the history of literature.
I particularly enjoyed the first few chapters, which discussed some of the earliest known literature and how our relationship to it changes over time. I made a lot of notes in the margins about the correlations to my own ideas about the cultural history of fairy tales.
This book made me even more aware of the gaping holes in my knowledge of literature. I wasn't an English major in college because I didn't want to have to read all those Dead White Males (and after reading chapter 10, I have a better understanding of where that came from), but now I realize how much I've missed out on. Of course, it would take most of a lifetime to get caught up, but I may have to try to tackle one each summer, or something like that.
I was really, genuinely sad when I reached the last chapter, and I wanted to immediately start it over again. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in cultural studies or the history of literature.
bloodravenlib's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
Quick impressions: Overall, I liked it, but I did not find it terribly memorable. While I marked a few quotes to remember, the book overall is not one that stayed with me. It was like listening to some academic lectures, but the lecturers were not always engaging. Serious bibliophiles and/or fans of the author may like the book better. I'd say this is one to borrow.
(Full review to be available on my blog.)
(Full review to be available on my blog.)
coreyln's review against another edition
3.0
What are others reading? I ask strangers and friends all the time. It give a hint into what people find interesting, what influences them. This books does the asking for me towards some of history's interesting people. The notes discovered in the margins that peek at sparks of thought peeks my interested even more. I personally can't bring myself to write in a book (no idea why) but glad that others felt strong enough to write slips of thoughts.
krisrid's review against another edition
2.0
I know what you're thinking - how do you give two stars and a DNF to a book that you add to your list of "best non-fiction"? Well, I'll tell you.
This is an interesting book. An important book for book lovers. A book chock-full of educational, thoughtful and challenging information about books and their importance to the world. That said, it is also a book that, at times, reads more like a text-book than anything else, and not in a good way.
I didn't so much not finish this book, as put it away for a future time when I am feeling like I have the time and intellectual gravitas to properly appreciate the content in this book. Or to put it another way - the "it's not you; it's me" literary edition!
I feel certain I will go back and finish this at some point, but I'm not focused enough right now to properly appreciate it's intellectual heft.
This is an interesting book. An important book for book lovers. A book chock-full of educational, thoughtful and challenging information about books and their importance to the world. That said, it is also a book that, at times, reads more like a text-book than anything else, and not in a good way.
I didn't so much not finish this book, as put it away for a future time when I am feeling like I have the time and intellectual gravitas to properly appreciate the content in this book. Or to put it another way - the "it's not you; it's me" literary edition!
I feel certain I will go back and finish this at some point, but I'm not focused enough right now to properly appreciate it's intellectual heft.
connie575's review against another edition
4.0
I find Basbanes such an interesting author. He makes his knowledge fresh and you want to learn more about his thoughts on past masters. I also learned about people of letters that I had never known of before. This is the fourth book by him that I have read. I recommend them all.