Comments on: ‘Who is Mark Twain?’ reviewed: 24 essays in hardback and a DRM-free e-book—priced together at $19.99 http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:04:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Kathryn http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/comment-page-1/#comment-1045268 Kathryn Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:29:32 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/#comment-1045268 I want to point all of you readers and writers over to http://twainia.com, where you can find a lot more on Twain: not only is there a free download of John Lithgow reading the entire book (today is the last day to grab it!), there is also a writing contest to see who is the next Mark Twain! I want to point all of you readers and writers over to http://twainia.com, where you can find a lot more on Twain: not only is there a free download of John Lithgow reading the entire book (today is the last day to grab it!), there is also a writing contest to see who is the next Mark Twain!

]]> By: Court http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/comment-page-1/#comment-1045265 Court Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:25:09 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/#comment-1045265 LuYu, I do reread some books in my own library, the ones that have stood the test of (my) time. And of course it is a bonus to have an e-book as well as a p-book. It'd be great if more publishers did this. Still, I don't think I'd pay more to have copies of both. One or the other will do. In this case, the e-book was free. Joseph, thanks for the anecdote. Twain seems to supply an endless amount of them ... Garson, this is definitely one of the main advantages of e-books. And Twain, naturally, manages to hit the mark a good century ahead of his time. LuYu, I do reread some books in my own library, the ones that have stood the test of (my) time. And of course it is a bonus to have an e-book as well as a p-book. It’d be great if more publishers did this. Still, I don’t think I’d pay more to have copies of both. One or the other will do. In this case, the e-book was free.

Joseph, thanks for the anecdote. Twain seems to supply an endless amount of them …

Garson, this is definitely one of the main advantages of e-books. And Twain, naturally, manages to hit the mark a good century ahead of his time.

]]> By: Garson O'Toole http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/comment-page-1/#comment-1045001 Garson O'Toole Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:56:54 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/#comment-1045001 I agree with LuYu that having an ebook version of a text is very valuable for searching and quoting. Maintaining a searchable digital repository with all the text one has perused would provide a great assistance to memory. My own memories are best described but this quote from Twain: <blockquote> When I was younger I could remember anything, whether it happened or not; but my faculties are decaying, now, and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the latter. - Mark Twain’s Own Autobiography, North American Review, 1 March 1907. </blockquote> I agree with LuYu that having an ebook version of a text is very valuable for searching and quoting. Maintaining a searchable digital repository with all the text one has perused would provide a great assistance to memory. My own memories are best described but this quote from Twain:

When I was younger I could remember anything, whether it happened or not; but my faculties are decaying, now, and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the latter.

- Mark Twain’s Own Autobiography, North American Review, 1 March 1907.

]]> By: Joseph Gray http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/comment-page-1/#comment-1044904 Joseph Gray Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:35:08 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/#comment-1044904 An interesting story about Clemmens that is publishing related. For many years, he invested heavily in the development of a typesetting machine that never quite worked. He was approached by the Linotype company (remember them?) who offered to buy out his interest. Clemmens sent them packing, believing that they were trying to cheat him. Not long after, the company he was backing failed, which bankrupted Clemmens. This dire financial condition is what prompted his world lecture tour, to pay off his debts. An interesting story about Clemmens that is publishing related. For many years, he invested heavily in the development of a typesetting machine that never quite worked. He was approached by the Linotype company (remember them?) who offered to buy out his interest. Clemmens sent them packing, believing that they were trying to cheat him. Not long after, the company he was backing failed, which bankrupted Clemmens.

This dire financial condition is what prompted his world lecture tour, to pay off his debts.

]]> By: LuYu http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/comment-page-1/#comment-1044402 LuYu Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:19:45 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/#comment-1044402 <blockquote>While I can’t see why anyone would buy both a hardcover edition and an e-book...</blockquote> I can. Many people keep books as collectors items. Does anybody really read over and over again all the books they keep in their library? I have books I have never read but intend to read. I have pretty books that are good for browsing but probably not worth reading. I also have books that I have read only once or less than once. I also have books that I have read parts or even all of many times. Bookshelves are comforting and a source of pride, and often a statement of personality to guests. Just because one might enjoy reading a handsomely leather bound work of art at home does not mean one should be excluded from continuing to enjoy the same work while on the move. In fact, I have been thinking for quite some time that digital editions of all books should be free with the purchase of their paper brethren. Also, even for people who choose P over E, having the E version makes searching the book and discussing the book more convenient. It is much more enlightening during an Instant Messanger conversation to just cut and paste the text one is discussing.

While I can’t see why anyone would buy both a hardcover edition and an e-book…

I can. Many people keep books as collectors items. Does anybody really read over and over again all the books they keep in their library? I have books I have never read but intend to read. I have pretty books that are good for browsing but probably not worth reading. I also have books that I have read only once or less than once. I also have books that I have read parts or even all of many times.

Bookshelves are comforting and a source of pride, and often a statement of personality to guests. Just because one might enjoy reading a handsomely leather bound work of art at home does not mean one should be excluded from continuing to enjoy the same work while on the move. In fact, I have been thinking for quite some time that digital editions of all books should be free with the purchase of their paper brethren.

Also, even for people who choose P over E, having the E version makes searching the book and discussing the book more convenient. It is much more enlightening during an Instant Messanger conversation to just cut and paste the text one is discussing.

]]> By: Mags http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/comment-page-1/#comment-1044180 Mags Sun, 26 Apr 2009 05:38:50 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/#comment-1044180 My dear Mr. Twain, The answer to your question is "yes." It is called "plotting." Perhaps you have heard of it? Yours &c., J. Austen (gotta keep up the Twain/Austen trash talk) My dear Mr. Twain,

The answer to your question is “yes.” It is called “plotting.” Perhaps you have heard of it?

Yours &c.,
J. Austen

(gotta keep up the Twain/Austen trash talk)

]]> By: Court http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/comment-page-1/#comment-1044102 Court Sun, 26 Apr 2009 02:35:43 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/#comment-1044102 Paul, thanks for looking into it. I wonder if this copyright would stand up to a challenge? Deanna - excellent - I didn't know Daily Lit was doing this. Consider me subscribed. Chris, yes, Twain, bitterly disappointed idealist that he was, went a little crazy with that copyright stuff towards the end of his life. It's hard to know, though, how serious he was about it. Personally, I'm all for giving the great man the benefit of the doubt. Paul, thanks for looking into it. I wonder if this copyright would stand up to a challenge?

Deanna – excellent – I didn’t know Daily Lit was doing this. Consider me subscribed.

Chris, yes, Twain, bitterly disappointed idealist that he was, went a little crazy with that copyright stuff towards the end of his life. It’s hard to know, though, how serious he was about it. Personally, I’m all for giving the great man the benefit of the doubt.

]]> By: Court http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/comment-page-1/#comment-1044098 Court Sun, 26 Apr 2009 02:35:19 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/#comment-1044098 Paul, thanks for looking into it. I wonder if this copyright would stand up to a challenge? Deanna - excellent - I didn't know Daily Lit was doing this. Consider me subscribed. Chris, yes, Twain, bitterly disappointed that he was, went a little crazy with that copyright stuff towards the end of his life. It's hard to know, though, how serious he was about it. Personally, I'm all for giving the great man the benefit of the doubt. Paul, thanks for looking into it. I wonder if this copyright would stand up to a challenge?

Deanna – excellent – I didn’t know Daily Lit was doing this. Consider me subscribed.

Chris, yes, Twain, bitterly disappointed that he was, went a little crazy with that copyright stuff towards the end of his life. It’s hard to know, though, how serious he was about it. Personally, I’m all for giving the great man the benefit of the doubt.

]]> By: Chris Meadows http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/comment-page-1/#comment-1044036 Chris Meadows Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:04:13 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/#comment-1044036 The irony is that Mark Twain was, in his lifetime, one of the strongest advocates for perpetual, never-ending copyright. He really hated the idea that <i>someday</i> his works would belong to everyone. Didn't stop him from writing more of them, though. The irony is that Mark Twain was, in his lifetime, one of the strongest advocates for perpetual, never-ending copyright. He really hated the idea that someday his works would belong to everyone.

Didn’t stop him from writing more of them, though.

]]> By: Deanna http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/comment-page-1/#comment-1044035 Deanna Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:02:40 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/#comment-1044035 Also available thru DailyLit, http://www.dailylit.com/books/who-is-mark-twain, in 55 free installments. Also available thru DailyLit, http://www.dailylit.com/books/who-is-mark-twain, in 55 free installments.

]]> By: Paul Durrant http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/comment-page-1/#comment-1043947 Paul Durrant Sat, 25 Apr 2009 22:04:08 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/04/25/who-is-mark-twain-reviewed-24-essays-in-hard-cover-and-as-a-drm-free-e-book-for-a-reasonable-1999/#comment-1043947 Mark Twain died in 1910. All of his works published before he died are now in the public domain. Unpublished writings are treated differently in some countries, but not in the USA, as I found when checking. All Mark Twain's works are in the public domain in the USA. Minor edits to the works don't change the copyright status. I don't really see how the Mark Twain Foundation can claim copyright in the text of the essays themselves. They seem to be doing so by claiming copyright in the "Transcription, reconstruction and emendation" of the texts. This seems dubious to me. But IANAL. Perhaps it's a reflex to claim copyright, in the hopes that no-one will think to challenge it. Mark Twain died in 1910. All of his works published before he died are now in the public domain. Unpublished writings are treated differently in some countries, but not in the USA, as I found when checking. All Mark Twain’s works are in the public domain in the USA. Minor edits to the works don’t change the copyright status.

I don’t really see how the Mark Twain Foundation can claim copyright in the text of the essays themselves. They seem to be doing so by claiming copyright in the “Transcription, reconstruction and emendation” of the texts. This seems dubious to me. But IANAL.

Perhaps it’s a reflex to claim copyright, in the hopes that no-one will think to challenge it.

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