Books of interest found at independent book stores — found, not on “featured” displays or “staff picks”, but spine-out on the shelves. Of interest, meaning, the book was actually or very nearly purchased. Ideally: not on any recent bestseller lists.
Other pages of The Local Yarn may make use of Amazon or other referral links; but here, the only links will be to the authors’ online platforms, and to the bookstore where the book was found.
The book is The Existential Pleasures of Engineering by Samuel Forman, found at Magers and Quinn Booksellers in Minneapolis. From the front flap:
I found it interesting especially because the book was published in 1976 — before computers, before the internet, before drone strikes, etc. I’m curious to see what possible rewards or dangers the author envisioned, and how well his arguments hold up after forty years of rapid, technologically-driven social change.
How does Florman’s defense compare with Prof. Alan Jacobs’s much more up-to-date 79 Theses on Technology?
— Joel (Author) ·
Found this old copy of Kristin Lavransdatter available for $25.00 at James and Mary Laurie Booksellers in Minneapolis. Another classic I haven’t read yet. I seemed to recall Matt Frost likes to reference it, so I twote at him asking for advice. His response:
— Joel (Author) ·
We stopped by The Book House last night where I thought I might find a Frost-approved translation of Kristin Lavransdatter (see previous note and no, they didn’t have one, and yes I checked and everyone else agrees with Matt about the translation thing). Instead I found Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance in the ‘new arrivals’ section. This will be my next lunch break book.
— Joel (Author) ·