• Popsci by Brian Clegg

    Popular science writer Brian Clegg's blog.

    • Buying for Henry?

      Tuesday, 16 Dec 2008 - 13:55 UTC

      In case anyone is looking for the ideal present for Dr Gee, you will be relieved to know that new official Tolkien Bookstore will be more than happy to provide you with a ‘signed’ copy of The Children of Hurin for a mere £350.

      I say ‘signed’ in inverted commas because it’s signed by Christopher Tolkien and someone called Alan Lee, rather than JJRT himself. That sounds a bit naughty to me.

      The good news is that it is handbound in full goat-skin (as opposed to partial goat-skin?) and most excitingly of all, is protected in its own shipping carton.

      If you are inclined to take up my call to buy books for Christmas though, I’d much rather you bought 50 books at £7 each than lashing out on this. Think how many more people you could make happy.

      Last updated: Tuesday, 16 Dec 2008 - 13:55 UTC

      • Comments

        • Date:
          Tuesday, 16 Dec 2008 - 14:08 UTC
          Henry Gee said:

          While touched, I am inclined to come over all Dorothy Parker and say: one perfect Tolkien rip off rose? I’d rather have one perfect limousine.

        • Date:
          Tuesday, 16 Dec 2008 - 14:46 UTC
          Kristi Vogel said:

          I had the Kindle waved in my face several times over Thanksgiving, but I remain steadfast in my determination to stick with print books. And Brian, I bought your Infinity book for my nephew. :-)

        • Date:
          Tuesday, 16 Dec 2008 - 20:26 UTC
          Brian Clegg said:

          Kristi, have I ever told you that you are wonderful? Consider yourself told.

          I’m a bit worried, though, that Henry is touched.

        • Date:
          Wednesday, 17 Dec 2008 - 00:06 UTC
          Kristi Vogel said:

          I think my nephew will enjoy the book, Brian; my father will likely read it too. Do authors receive less per unit, if their books are primarily sold through the Kindle route?

          I’ve often suspected that Henry might be touched. ;-)

        • Date:
          Wednesday, 17 Dec 2008 - 09:31 UTC
          Brian Clegg said:

          Kristi – there’s a lot of debate over electronic rights on books. Sometimes publishers often gave quite high percentages, but they’ve mostly tried to get them down to a similar percentage to ordinary books. As the ebook is often a bit cheaper, this means the author might get a little less, but it’s order of magnitude the same.

        • Date:
          Wednesday, 17 Dec 2008 - 09:49 UTC
          Henry Gee said:

          Kristi, have I ever told you that you are wonderful? Consider yourself told.
          I’m a bit worried, though, that Henry is touched.

          That Kristi is wonderful goes without saying. That I am touched – well, just ask Mrs Gee. But aren’t I wonderful, too? I bought Upgrade Me a while ago. Now, if only Amazon would actually get round to delivering it…

        • Date:
          Wednesday, 17 Dec 2008 - 10:02 UTC
          Brian Clegg said:

          Henry, of course you are wonderful – that goes without saying! What do you think of that site? Is it pure rip off, or is there interest to the genuine Tolkien fan?


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