Pelican Parts Forums - Has a book significantly influenced you?

I read in yesterday’s L.A. Times that the Encyclopedia Britannica will only be published in digital form henceforth. The (print) king is dead! long live the (digital) king! Gutenberg must be weeping in his grave.

Reading in the EB was the first time I realized that books could provide something beyond entertainment and escape – facts, information, knowledge; about virtually anything! No dirty words, though, alas.

I was 7 or 8 when the first shipment arrived. I had to wait until my mother got home to open it since it was addressed to her and you never opened anyone else’s mail (I still feel that way, old fashioned, I suppose).

There were four or five volumes in that first box and a new volume arrived every month thereafter for about a year. I used to wait on the front porch for the mailman when it was time for a new volume. I would often read late into the night, using a flashlight under the covers after lights out. What joy!

I am not a complete Luddite, but books have always been special to me. My mother taught me to read before kindergarten, as I have taught my children and my son is now teaching my granddaughter. I’ve owned a computer since 1983 (8088 powered IBM) and have used them since the ‘60’s while working at Rocketdyne. I realize, of course, digitizing has many advantages, cost not least. But, sitting in bed or a comfy chair with a good book is, to me, one of life’s great pleasures.

Sadly, my own set disappeared long ago in one of our many moves.

I think I’ll look for a used set. They would look quite handsome front and center in the library, right next to Will Durant’s magnum opus.