Customer Reviews

Casanova Was a Book Lover: And Other Naked Truths and Provocative Curiosities about the Writing, Selling, and Reading of Books

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

8 Stars ********

This was the first book I have read in years that I was sorry to reach the end of. Each sentence is there to delight you. Each story is there to enthrall you. Each chapter encompasses a microcosm of the wonderful world of books. If you love books, are interested in authors, wonder about reviewers, or find dedications and acknowledgments intriguing, you've found just the right book!

One of the things that makes the book especially delightful is that it does not take the subject too seriously. For example, the dedication (in part) is to all book reviewers so that they will not pan the book (I would have praised the book anyway!). You will also learn which authors wrote in the nude on their porches. There really is a section on the writing career of Casanova.

From readers, to the economics of authors, to what happens to all those books that go to the Library of Congress, to which books are stolen most often, it's all here. Each seemingly irreverent thought though builds into a fascinating picture of the role that books play in the lives of authors, readers, reviewers, publishers and book sellers. You will get insights from Gutenberg to Amazon.com.

Here are some of the chapter titles to give you a sense of the book's coverage and mood:

-- T. Roger Claypool's Fish Store -- Art of Marketing -- Artless Thank You's -- A Guide to Good Book Behavior -- Inglorious Employment -- Literary Luck -- Best Stolen Books -- Dear Mr. Politican, Please Don't Write A Guide to Good Book Behavior tells you what to do and not to do when you friend writes a book. You'll learn the etiquette of writing an autograph if you are an author.

The material is so good that this could be turned into a one person Broadway show. That would be wonderful!

Have a great time reading this book. It is best taken in laugh-size bites!

Hamilton does what needs to be done to the book industry...this book pulls no punches and exposes all the tie-ins and problems with critical reviews, including the problems with the one I'm writing right now! It really is an eye-opener and has helped me be more critical of the quality of books now being published and to distinguish between the plethora of junk and self-promotional drivel. Good read!

John Maxwell Hamilton, in Casanova was a book lover, obviously researched his material extensively. Yet a credit to him is the fact that this book is the opposite of dry. Casanova was a Book Lover is wetter than the Amazon(no pun intended) Rain Forest, as he adds dashes of wit to his wisdom regarding his subject matter. There were passages I literally laughed out loud even as my uneducated (respectively speaking) brain soaked up his tidbits of knowledge. This text isnt perfect obviously, and confession time I skimmed a page here and there. Overall though it is arguably the best book on books writtin within the last decade. Perhaps the greatest compliment is his ability and agility in appealing to both the Literrati, and layperson in this book;s text and factiods. A fine touch of irony in that he seems disparaging of the Amazon review process, and I see his point in many ways, yet his work gets glowing reviews(mine isnt first or hopefully last). Well done Mr Hamilton, though you may snort if you happen to come across this review teehee, I stand by my critique.

This work appeals on many different levels. With the author's sparkling wit a constant companion, the reader is taken on a veritable Aeneid through the literary world. Everything from vanity presses to coming-out parties to the hype machines that drive sales to the overloaded Library of Congress make appearances. The breezy style lulls you into enjoying every little tidbit until you look up to realize that the ride is at an end.

Where do I begin the praise for this extraordinary book? I could start with the brilliant prose, that makes every passage sparkle. Or I could comment on the ingenious content, that unleashes its wisdom upon the reader as each page is turned. Perhaps I should begin with the witty satire, that provides comic relief throughout the whole of this magnificent book. No, I don't think there is just one facet of Casanova that makes it the wonderful piece of literature that it is. Rather, it is the sum of its parts that makes me read it over and over and over, until I have been able to memorize and recite entire chapters at a time. Like a fine french wine, say a '75 Rothschild, this book has to be savored. Every page has to be drunk deep into the readers' psyche. I would suggest you buy several copies, just as insurance in case one or two are destroyed. My father really needs the money from the royalties.

Hamilton can be witty or hilarious depending on the subject. He is erudite, but plain spoken. His book is well researched. Unfortunately, he can occasionally be a bit dry. If you like books on books than this is worth your time, if not than you may still enjoy the humor within.

Hamilton has written a most interesting report from behind the scenes of publishing. Any bibliophile should read this book. Not only does it have thorough chapters about the economics of books and its impact on literature, but many tidbits and lots of book trivia that is not so well-known. Hamilton shows that although he can be very witty when he wishes to, he is still very skilful with words and can reason in depth about the subjects in question. Some information is pure entertainment, other information is thought-provoking, and all is interesting. This is a book that is hard to put down - you want to know more and more and more. I wish there was a sequel available!

Hamilton has a distanced and ironic attitude - he is not fooled by marketing people or any others. I think he has a very healthy perspective. Books are not holy, and Hamilton has indeed analyzed this business like any other.

If possible, I would have given an extra star for the index. The index has many entries and is practically indespensible, since you will always want to come back to some parts. Also, I consider a good index necessary for reader-friendliness. I also liked the bibliography in the end - many suggestions for further reading ...

I'm a novelist and an independent publisher. I've been studying these things for ten years, and it's taken a close study because "these things" have been changing. After two centuries of glacial adaptation the digital age has forced a rapid change on the world of book publishing. At the same time, the world is seeing more writers than ever before, more books than ever before, and with these things comes a surprisingly widespread interest in the process of making books--whether that's a desire to participate in (and profit from) the process, or simply a curiosity concerning a favorite pastime. In Casanova Was a Book Lover John Maxwell Hamilton satisfies that curiosity with a fun, engaging, and remarkably in-depth description of the writing process.

About: History, facts and tidbits about the reading, writing, reviewing and publishing of books

Pros: Amusing, funny, interesting. I certainly learned things about the peculiarities of of the book industry.

Cons: Gets bogged down a bit by focusing too much on history

If you like 'Books About Books",you'll find this a real treasure. If you haven't,and you are even a budding Bibliophile,you'll get a great introduction to the whole world of books,writers,critics,booksellers,publishers,bestseller lists;and just about anything else about books;and this book will thrill you.

Make sure you read the other Customer Reviews,they are very good;especially those that have high helpful votes.

The book gives a lot of information about the monetary side of books.It will surprise you to see where the dollar you spend on books ends up.

The book is loaded with bits of information that you'd be hard pressed to find elsewhere;or at least without a lot of research.For instance; Hemmingway dedicated books to four different wives.

There are so many great lines and ancedotes;that it is impossible to not find one or more on every page.

Here are a few to show you what's in store for you;

"I laughed my head off." -Marie Antionette

"Couldn't put it down." -Atlas

"I can't wait for the play."-Abraham Lincoln

"You can't beat this book."-Marquis de Sade

"A good read on a rainy day."-Noah

Although I've read many 'Books About Books' ,I found this one informative,enjoyable and a hard one to put down.

Although I have high praise for this book;I strongly disagree with how the author belittles the Customer Reviews here on Amazon. After years of being limited to reading reviews by professional reviewers and critics,finally we now can read reviews written by readers for readers. After all, we can separate the wheat from the chaff,and even vote on them. This is a major step forward for readers. After all;isn't that who the books were written for?

"Praise means nothing if not balanced against criticism."