Has there been a thread about this book yet? I am very much enjoying it. I think anyone interested in the history of outdoor recreation here--not just skiing--would like it.
Some of the anecdotes are just terrific. The Silver Skis race, which involved a mass start at Camp Muir and a race to Paradise in the 1930s...the description was hilarious. Everyone was bunched so tightly no one could turn, so they straightlined it until they nearly all crashed and ended up in the yard sale of all yard sales, pieces of which are still being found.
My daughter and son in law gave me a copy for Christmas. I am not a real fan of books anymore. I do a lot of reading, but most of it is online because things tend to get summarized and shortened.
However, that book seems like the kind that can be read in stand alone segments so that may help me get through it without getting discouraged by the length. So far I am finding it outstanding.
BTW, do people who write books get paid by the word? Why would anyone write a 500-600 page book that could easily be presented in less than 100 pages and keep the reader's interest? I read a lot of nonfiction science type stuff and when I see an interesting book the first thing I do is lift it and check the number of pages. If it is more than a couple hundred, I go on line and google the subject and read the abstract.
YMMV
Why would anyone write a 500-600 page book that could easily be presented in less than 100 pages and keep the reader's interest?
Plenty of people manage to read longer books and stay interested. If they didn't, there wouldn't be a market for them, and publishers wouldn't pay authors for them.
The author needs time to provide context, support their argument, etc etc. A hundred pages might get you conclusions, but not the context and evidence to know if the author has done solid research and come to good/supportable conclusions, or, is full of bs.
Apologies to Mr. Skoog for the thread drift. It looks like a great book - and the perfect length, especially considering all the photos.
Indeed, nonfiction authors can be pushed by publishers to pad shorter manuscripts, because small books aren't taken as seriously by the public and don't stand out on the shelves. (Likewise, too-long books can be pared back or split into multiple volumes so that people aren't too intimidated.) Readers who don't have time for longer books often find value in Blinkist and other services that provide concise summaries. Of course authors who self-publish have more freedom.
Nonfiction books often have long lists of footnotes, appendices, conclusions, updates, etc. Casual readers can ignore them. To researchers and critics they are often the most useful part. This especially applies to legal briefs, and research papers. The back pages of Becky's volumes were often he most useful parts.
-------------- "You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
0
-------------- "You do not laugh when you look at the mountains, or when you look at the sea." Lafcadio Hearn
Actually, I think my comment on book length was misinterpreted. It was not directed specifically at Lowell Sloog's book at all. Just long books in general. As neek says, Lowell's book is about right considering all the photos. And I am finding it interesting as I pick it up and read a chapter now and then.
A geoscience friend I used to work with recently sent me an email recommending I read 'America Before' by Graham Hancock, it's around 600 pages. It is one of those books I got bogged down in and stopped reading about a third of the way through.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases when you use our link(s).
and they're ordering 6 more copies to put into circulation.
