Grumpy Old Bookman [Print on Demand (Paperback)]

Michael Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2005

This is a collection of hard-hitting essays and book reviews which first appeared on Michael Allen's blog, the Grumpy Old Bookman. The Grumpy Old Bookman began operation in late March 2004, and soon acquired a reputation for plain speaking and controversy. This book reproduces some 130 entries from the first six months. The book is aimed at both readers and writers, and the content deals almost entirely with books and publishing. A typical entry will either be a lengthy review of a book, or the author's thoughts on some aspect of the book trade, inspired by an item of recent news.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In February 2005 the Grumpy Old Bookman blog was listed by the Guardian as one of the top ten literary blogs world-wide. The Guardian described the blog as 'intelligent and unfailingly interesting.'

About the Author

Michael Allen can draw on over forty years of experience as a writer and publisher. He is the author of two previous non-fiction books, one of which is 'The Truth about Writing', an essential handbook for writers of all kinds. Michael has also published a collection of short stories ('King Albert's Words of Advice') and eleven novels (some written under pen-names); the novels have variously been published in hardback and paperback editions in the UK, USA, France and Denmark. Michael was formerly the Director of an academic publishing company, Bath University Press.

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Product Details

• Print on Demand (Paperback): 304 pages
• Publisher: Kingsfield Publications (February 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903988128
• ISBN-13: 978-1903988121
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,165,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars One man's blog is the same man's book, August 15, 2006

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Grumpy Old Bookman (Print on Demand (Paperback))

We have reached the stage of ultimate democracy as far as writing goes. Anyone, anywhere can write anything they want and have it instantly published on the 'Net'. They can even guarantee themselves a few readers by posting it on sites in which the comments of readers are somewhat read.
Michael Allen understands we are in a new writer- reader age. A longtime editor and bookman himself he started his own blog about books, and then collected six months, one- hundred and thirty entries into the book at question.
As a person who loves books, who takes interest in the book world, and who has not gotten really where I wanted to in the book world I am the natural reader for this kind of stuff. All these little items might after all contain some tips about how to move the pieces forward on the great board of getting somewhere.
But the truth is I love Literature more in another way, and in a way which Michael Allen does a bit of debunking of. I am a believer in the classic works, and in the special quality of certain kinds of writing. It isn't all the same mashed potatoes or daily gruel to me.
Allen is a debunker, with a sense of humor, a very great knowledge of what's going on in the British book- world. He certainly provides information and insight which can keep the old book- lover reading.
But he does not provide what a truly good or great book does, that kind of poetic feeling and inspiration, that sense of giving us an understanding of life we did not have before, that moving us to the depths of our being in revelation or discovery of the new, or what we already knew stated in a way beyond our ability to.
'Grumpy' is alright but its not the best we can do.