Give It All, Give It Now: One of the Few Things I Know About Writing [Hardcover]

Annie Dillard (Author), Sam Fink (Illustrator), Susan Cheever (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 5, 2009

For anyone who has ever feared the best isn't yet to come, Give It All, Give It Now is an inspiration. Originally intended to inspire writers and aspiring writers, Pulitzer-Prize-winning author Annie Dillard's words are empowering and energizing, making this book the perfect gift for anyone undertaking a creative endeavor, including someone beginning a new career, turning over a new leaf, or celebrating a milestone.

The message of this surprising little book is brought to life by the remarkable artistry of Sam Fink. His astonishing calligraphy and full-color illustrations brilliantly complement the passion of Dillard's text.

Featuring an introduction by bestselling author Susan Cheever, this distinctive accordion-page book contains 20 color illustrations and is enclosed in a slip case. It is a gift book for all occasions, one that will be revisited time and again for inspiration and encouragement.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the best book gifts of the season is Give It All, Give It Now, by Annie Dillard.  Beautifully illustrated by Sam Fink, this gorgeous and inspiring fold-out book encourages anyone taking on a creative endeavor, assuring us all that YES...the best is yet to come."
--HipGrandma.com

"For anyone who needs a heartfelt reminder of the power of dreams, of passion, of courage, Give It All, Give It Now, is for you. It is a gorgeous book - uplifting, inspiring - designed to give us all light and hope in these tough times."
-- Katrina vanden Heuvel, Editor, The Nation

"Give It All, Give It Now will inspire you and liberate you. The artwork will make you smile and wish the book were longer."
-- Joan Ganz Cooney, Co-Founder, Sesame Workshop

"Th[is] book is a unique blend of watercolor and the written word, a sort of picture book for grown ups.... Dillard encourages writers to "give it all" and not to hoard for later that which seems good... The words are inspiring in many ways.... The book itself is not traditionally bound, but opens up as an accordian to stretch 20 feet. ... This book would be a unique gift for a writer or collector of Dillard's books (or those of Susan Cheever, who wrote the introduction)... In fact, some writers might even be so bold as to unfold the book and hang it up on the wall, as a giant sort of motivational poster."
--Englewood Review of Books

About the Author

Annie Dillard is a Pulitzer Prize winning author for her book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. Best known for her narrative non-fiction, Annie has also published poetry, essays, literary criticism, autobiography, and fiction. She is the recipient of various and prestigious awards, honors, and prizes including her selection as a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist for An American Childhood and a New York Press Club Award for Excellence for "Innocence in the Galapagos," published in Harper's Magazine. Annie also serves on the boards of many organizations such as The Milton Center and The New Press. Her latest book, The Maytrees, was published in 2007.

Sam Fink is a multi-talented artist of inimitable range. For the past twenty years Sam has both educated and entertained adults and children with his vibrantly illustrated texts of American history. He celebrated his 90th birthday in 2006 with the release of The Constitution of the United States of America to great acclaim. He also published The Gettysburg Address and The Book of Exodus in 2007.

Susan Cheever is the bestselling author of fourteen books and her work has been nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award. She is a Guggenheim Fellow and a member of the Author's Guild Council.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 50 pages
• Publisher: Welcome Books; Gift edition (March 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159962060X
• ISBN-13: 978-1599620602
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 1.1 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars a very expensive greeting card, June 19, 2009

By 

reader (munster, in) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Give It All, Give It Now: One of the Few Things I Know About Writing (Hardcover)

I bought this book at the mall, and luckily my kids and I stopped by the food court for a snack, at which time I gently slitted the shrink wrapping with my Borders Rewards Card and coaxed the book out of its slipcase (which is one size too small). Imagine my surprise and dismay when I saw it was just one sentence spread over the alleged fifty or so accordion-style pages. The paintings were beautiful and very attractive to me, a collector of books, images of books, and figurines of people and even animals holding books or reading; and the sentence they illustrated was admittedly very profound and inspirational. But that was all it was -a sentence. And for the price (19.95 plus tax) I felt it was no more than a book-bound greeting card. And with no music to boot! Also, I turned to the back pages,hoping for some text or additional words and watercolors, and all it was, was an expanse of wispy clouds against a blue sky. I promptly and carefully pushed the "book" back into its slipcase (which [did I mention?] is one size too small) and returned it to the store.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect way to send the most important message of today, March 30, 2009

By 

BookCritic195 "BookCritic195" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Give It All, Give It Now: One of the Few Things I Know About Writing (Hardcover)

A sweet book with a timely message. It is so important in this time of need for those privileged enough to give to do so. This book provides the right message on how and why to do this.

What a great message to spread and in such a wonderful package! The message, illustrations and the accordion all give reason to BUY THIS BOOK!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect gift for any aspiring writer, beautifully illustrated, March 18, 2009

By 

enelsonnorgaard (NY, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Give It All, Give It Now: One of the Few Things I Know About Writing (Hardcover)

This is an amazingly under priced gift book filled with inspired illustrations by the great 93 year old water colorist, Sam Fink. Obviously, Annie is as much an inspiration to Mr. Fink with her "secret" to great writing as she is to legendary writer, Susan Cheever. You just can't find interestingly conceived items like this: a slip cased, hard cover art book which folds out like a mural, accordion style. Buy a few and give them all now to your loved ones.