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Simply..a rip off....

2/5/2015

17 Comments

 
Have you noticed this unfortunate new trend in the publishing world?

Trying to order a copy of Marie Kondo's book for a friend I noticed A Guide to The Life Changing Magic of Tidying. The words Guide to being written in small type above the title of the original book which in large type dominates the front cover. You could easily think you were buying the original book. But why would anyone want a guide to it anyway? It is a model of clarity and simplicity!

I was also looking for a copy of Thomas Picketty's Capital in the Twenty First Century and lo and behold the same author and publisher had a Critique of ... A bit unlikely I thought! Same format with the typeface. Also a best  seller. And as it happens this book is also a model of clarity, which is why I want it. (Well I really only want pages 1 to 37 and page 157 on, where the author so succinctly puts his reasons for writing the book and his conclusions).

So I checked the publisher out on Amazon and found that Brief Concise and to the Point Publishing have brought out guides or critiques or summaries of at least 13 best selling books from every genre. Avoid? I think so.

I also took issue with author Adam Nicolson. His book titled The Smell of Summer Grass is really a reprint of Perch Hill  (yes, he is married to Sarah Raven). I admire his nature writing and enjoyed reading Perch Hill the first time round, but was dismayed to find so little new writing in this new title. In the Acknowledgements it states that two thirds of it - I thought even more - was published under the title Perch Hill, but do you read the Acknowledgements before you buy a book?

OK.

Rant over.
 
Time to contemplate a tulip....
Picture
17 Comments
Madeleine
2/5/2015 07:59:42 am

That's the first I've heard of 'guides to' books - ridiculous! Thanks for the alert.

And...exquisite photo!

Madeleine.x

Reply
Freda
3/5/2015 08:03:11 am

An astonishing tulip!

Reply
Adam Nicolson
2/5/2015 05:40:43 pm

I do apologise for this. I did my best with publishers to alert readers as you have noticed but the best wasn't good enough. If you can give me your bank details I will refund what you paid. With very best wishes Adam

Reply
Freda
3/5/2015 08:04:04 am

Thank you. Ah yes, publishers...

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Adam Nicolson
3/5/2015 06:55:35 pm

Thanks Freda

Penny L
2/5/2015 06:30:18 pm

Thanks for alerting us to this. I hadn't noticed it, but will now hopefully not press the wrong button on Amazon! There are such a lot of fake things in this world and copies of the real thing, but that beautiful tulip certainly isn't one of them!

Reply
Freda
3/5/2015 08:04:51 am

It's quite hard to believe it's real!

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elaine link
2/5/2015 07:30:38 pm

I have become aware of this myself when browsing on Amazon - too easy to get fooled. The title 'The Smell of Summer Grass' would certainly have drawn me in that's for sure.

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Freda
3/5/2015 08:05:42 am

It is a lovely title and if you've not read Perch Hill, it is a lovely read.

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Grace
3/5/2015 07:54:56 pm

Wonderful tulip - can you remember the name?
Nice of Adam Nicolson to respond so promptly. I was in a departure lounge with him last year waiting for a Gatwick/Edinburgh flight. If you read this Adam I was tempted to say I enjoy your writing but, of course, one doesn't do that!

Reply
Adam Nicolson
3/5/2015 09:50:33 pm

Yes one does—it is the best thing a writer ever hears!

Reply
Freda
4/5/2015 06:11:44 am

Green Wave I think - from Sarah Raven..

Reply
Grace
3/5/2015 10:37:03 pm

Sorry! I'll speak if I see you again.

Reply
Lucille link
3/5/2015 11:49:01 pm

I too was bamboozled by Summer Grass. I gave it to a friend who hadn't already read Perch Hill. He has a very nice smile and an engaging manner. I wanted to say that to him - but of course one definitely doesn't do that at a talk he gave in Winchelsea about some islands.

Reply
Freda
4/5/2015 06:12:55 am

I do like it when you all talk to each other!

Reply
Sarah link
5/5/2015 06:19:34 am

I haven't come across this before but be more careful when buying books in future. It was good of Adam to come back to you almost immediately. We have spoken about how we have both enjoyed reading his books before. It was lovely reading his book Sea Room when travelling to Western Scotland and Skye, it added to the enjoyment of the holiday. (Sorry I'm reading posts the wrong way around I see you gave the answer about the tulip!) Sarah x

Reply
Freda
8/5/2015 05:16:34 am

I agree it was good of Adam to come back to me, but I didn't contact him directly - so how did he know? I'm sure he doesn't read my blog! Does he get an alert every single time his name or the name of the book appears? A bit scary this internet somtimes....

Reply



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