It would appear from this interview in the New York Times that Alan Moore has been spending time in my library! š
What book might people be surprised to find on your shelves?
Probably most of them. I know I always am. Of the volumes I can see from where Iām sitting now, thereās a copy of Captain Fullerās āThe Star in the West,ā co-signed by Aleister Crowley and the politically questionable British Army officer-cum-occultist who invented the concept of blitzkrieg; but possibly everyone would expect that to be on my shelves and wouldnāt be surprised at all. How about my first-edition copy of William Hope Hodgsonās āThe House on the Borderlandā? Iāve got five or six different editions of this book, including the Arkham House version with the Hannes Bok cover, but as far as I know, my 1908 Chapman & Hall edition isnāt even technically supposed to exist in the immaculate rebound condition that I have it in. And please be advised that this isnāt humblebragging: This is plain, unreconstructed old-school bragging. Envy me, bibliophiles.
Whatās the best book youāve ever received as a gift?
That would be the second unabridged edition of the Random House Dictionary of the English Language, one of the first of many marvelous gifts from my wife, Melinda. Aleister Crowley once stated that the most important grimoire, or book of magical instruction, that anyone could ever conceivably own would be an etymological dictionary, and in my opinion he was exactly right. I keep it right here by my desk, and just 10 minutes ago it confirmed for me that I had the spelling of āproprioceptionā right all along, even though my spell-checker had raised a crinkly red eyebrow. Quite seriously, this is the one book in my collection that Iād save in the event of a fire.
--- http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/11/books/review/alan-moore-by-the-book.html?_r=1
Owner and Editor
LAShTAL
A lovely tidbit, Paul.
Anyone know, or remember where AC states
Aleister Crowley once stated that the most important grimoire, or book of magical instruction, that anyone could ever conceivably own would be an etymological dictionary
after all, I do believe he's right.
Cheers,
Markus
I don't have it immediately to hand but think the reference was probably in Magick Without Tears. But A.C. certainly wasn't just talking about Random House or any old etymological dictionary - his "holy bible" in this respect was the one which was edited by W.W. Skeats and published by Oxford University Press. It is a splendidly fascinating although chunky resource which resides within ready reach on my bookshelf where I can see it now & often make use of --- most definitely highly recommended.
Bibliophilishy yours,
Norma N Joy Conquest
Just to point out: an extra 's' seems to have found its way on to the end of Skeat there somehow, though by now it's too late to "edit". Also, it does pay to know your onions!
Pinfin not Pinvin if not Pendefen,
N Joy
Nowz'a I be a wantin' one of dem Skeets š
Just for information, Moore's latest, 'Jerusalem', was due to be published on Tuesday 13 September but appears to have been delayed. That's according to Amazon, anyway, although no reason given...
Owner and Editor
LAShTAL
93 Paul. I bought the kindle version of 'Jerusalem' on the release date. I noticed that there is also an audiobook version available, which surprised me, the tome being a 1200 page monolith! $60 US & I may just treat myself to that as well. Not 100% sure about the printed version over here in NA, but it looked to be available. Maybe it's just an issue with Amazon.uk?