Wednesday, January 14, 2009

My kind of book


There is the vast library of ancient literature whose membersI am insanely attempting to read, one by one, over the course of my life.

There is modern fiction, which for the most part does not interest me at all.

But the genre of book that sets me to salivating, that takes a terrible toll on my wallet, that evokes a sad sigh of resignation from my Beloved, eludes categorization. It is history, but something more. It is the concept book, for lack of a better term. It is a great author taking some noun -- some person, place or thing -- and probing carefully and specifically and entertainingly into it, whether the historical ravages of some famous disease like syphillis; the pre-Columbian American world; or the birth of the universe.

I found such a book today that looks SO tasty, so deserving of being read. Please don't tell my Beloved!

http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Gifts-Profane-Pleasures-Chocolate/dp/0801444934/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am drawn to books that explain odd things, or deleve into illnesses (especially viruses). I don't know why.

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Hmmm. Please read the book and give us a review and also tips where we might do some field sampling of the brown, milky, creamy subject.

Eastcoastdweller said...

Citizen: So we share this eccentricity. Cool.

LGS: I may give a review but when it comes to revealing secret sources of chocolate, it's every man and squirrel for himself.

StayAtHomeKat said...

yes to concept books!

yes to chocolate!

StayAtHomeKat said...

talk about eccentricities (and bubbles) ....
I have been reading

TULIPMANIA

you would love this book ECD

Eastcoastdweller said...

Kat: Don't tempt me!

StayAtHomeKat said...

you would love this book ECD