Among the Gently Mad: Strategies
and Perspectives for the Book-Hunter
in the 21st Century by Nicholas A.
Basbanes
"A Shelf Of Books Bespeaks The Soul Whose Hands Have Put It There."
A field guide for the modern book collector
From the author of A Gentle Madness-a book with more than seventy
thousand copies in print that delighted bibliophiles everywhere-comes a
twenty-first-century guide to book collecting that deals with both the
traditional methods of acquisition and the electronic tools now available on
the Internet.

Sharing the superb insight he has gathered from booksellers over the
years, Nicholas Basbanes offers a refresher course on the fundamentals
that endure, while questioning certain practices of doubtful validity. Topics
include how to determine if a book is a first edition, how to spot book club
editions, the importance of dust jackets, scouting the flea markets, how to
work the book fairs, and the importance of handling the goods, as well as
discussing less tangible issues like spotting trends and having a focus.
Then he takes a long look at the pros and cons of Internet buying,
illuminating how you can use these electronic tools to your advantage and
making this the book no modern collector will want to be without.
Personal Review: Among the Gently Mad: Strategies and
Perspectives for the Book-Hunter in the 21st Century by
Nicholas A. Basbanes
A wonderful read about the world of books by one of the preeminent
writers on the subject of book collecting.Using the word 'subject' to
describe the passion of books is akin to using 'subject' to describe love or
any other passion.Blame that on me,if you will,not Nicholas.
It seems I never get enough of these books about books and this is one
of the best.Here we are given a look in on the wonderful life the author has
in the world of the High End Collectors.Those like me,and that means all
but a very miniscule number,who can only dream of attending and
partaking in those auctions,where single rare books sell for tens of
thousands,and lots or even complete personal libraries sell for sums
equalling the national treasury of small countries.That doesn't mean
reading about that sort of thing isn't very interesting;and the author has the
ability to make one feel they are part of that activity.What one gets from
this book is that anyone can have the same desires,same enjoyment,and
all the rest of what comes along with having a passsion for
reading,collecting,owning,sharing,arranging,their personal collection
whether it is a small number of favorite volumes or some huge
ammassment--it's their collecion and is what they have the ability,desire
and resources to call their own.I suppose many who work with books like
booksellers or library staff can even imagine the books around them are
their own.I remember once reading somewhere, something to the effect
that nobody ever really owns a book,but only has the privilege of being its
caretaker for a while until it eventually passes on as its "owner" is sure to
do--it's only a matter of time.This idea comes through very clearly as the
author shows how collectors spend lifetimes searching for books that
eventually end up in university,library and other collections.
The author describes the personalities he encounters and we can identify
with all of them as we pursue our passion with books.
In a nutshell you'll get from this book that the only real difference between
your collection and the world he writes about is a matter of scale
A great read and highly recommended to anyone who loves books and
reading.

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