Thursday, March 27, 2008

About Books, March 29, 2008

Jesse Sheidlower is the editor of the new Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, Sixth edition. It is fascinating to hear how the dictionary is put together. Even more interesting is Sheidlower himself. He's an expert on slang. While still in college he discovered an earlier use of the word "tool" than the OED knew of. Sadly, reading for words has ruined reading for pleasure for Sheidlower.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm

About Books, March 22, 2008

Jonathan Alderfer's "National Geographic Birding Essentials" will make your spring birding more informed and enjoyable. His co-author is Jon L. Dunn. Birding is the fastest growing wildlife-related outdoor activity in the United States. I was surprised by this statement but Alderfer says it's true. You can easily join the throng with this easy, beautifully illustrated book. It discusses tools, techniques and tips for beginning to bird or for becoming a better birder.

Listen to the interiew at Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm

Friday, March 14, 2008

About Books, March 15, 2008

John Lescroat's new thriller is "Betrayal." I was excited at the prospect of an interview as it is usually difficult or impossible to get on a best selling author's schedule. But About Books was granted ten minutes and I enjoyed every second. Although "Betrayal" is a Dismas Hardy mystery, it is really about the Iraq war, the burden the war places on men in the National Guard and post traumatic stress syndrome. Lescroat is very gracious and almost surprised at his status as a best selling author. He is also a former musician.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

About Books, March 8, 2008

John Bryant of Hofstra University and Haskell Springer, professor emeritus of English at the University of Kansas have edited a new edition of "Moby Dick." Bryant is the one interviewed. He talks about how they divided the task and about the concept of "fluid text." There are more than one version of "Moby Dick" and this edition includes the text of both the American and English versions intermingled. There are also lots of notes or "revision narrative comments." All in all, their work makes "Moby Dick" very appealing.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm