The most recent 20 comments posted to Making Light by Emmelisa:

As a librarian, I'm occasionally asked if I think that electronic books will do away with the paper variety. Looks as if the Kindle won't be changing my standard answer, "Not until they can invent an electronic book that does what a book does as well as a book does it."

About three years ago, I got into a very interesting discussion with a passionate "early adopter" sort who told me that in just five more years there wouldn't be any need for all these bookshelves. I looked at him, and then picked up a paperback and dropped it on the floor.

"Would you do that with your electronic gizmo?" I asked him. He turned pale.

Cruelly, I added, "And if that had been a bathtub full of water, I'd be out a whopping $7.95. How much would it cost you to replace yours?"

Does anybody here think that there will ever be an electronic hand-held device that isn't both expensive and delicate, doesn't monitor what you're reading, and allows you access to the full range of print materials? Because I'm really beginning to doubt it.

You know, I wish I had a dime for every time in my childhood that my father said to me, "When are you going to learn to think before you do something like that?" In addition to (eventually) teaching me to consider the possible consequences of my actions before acting, he left me with the sense that one of the big differences between children and adults is that adults do think before they do something, do take into account what the outcome might be, and even consider how that might impact on other people.

It's scary to think that there are people out there, who have to be close to my own age, who not only don't think about the consequences of their actions, but who genuinely don't care.

And it's even scarier to realize that they're raising kids themselves.

Madeline at # 28: "I know that it's not technically correct to call them biscuits since they're only cooked once"

This really confused me at first, since every biscuit I've ever made (whether American-style or other) has only been baked once. Then I realized you might be thinking of ship's biscuits.

Is that a correct guess?

(Emerging from the shadows of lurkerdom)--Wesley at #7, I suggest that you try the books of Allan W. Eckert. I can especially recommend That Dark and Bloody River, and A Sorrow in Our Heart: The Life of Tecumseh.

Eckert specializes in the history of the colonial frontier. Having grown up in close proximity to the only Revolutionary War fort in Ohio (didn't know there was one, did you?), I can attest to his very thorough research.

Be warned though, the books are dense and "chewy"--not quick reads. But they bring to life many of the people and events of the era.

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