It should not be so hard to write both poetry and fiction. Both arts, after all, make use of the same materials, words and punctuation. Poems...
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Wow. Thoroughly & repeatedly, throughout the book: Wow. In the first chapter, devoted to stunning 19th century photographs by the amazing Carleton Watkins, you wonder how the rest of the book can measure up. Somehow it does. If you love the Gorge, as so many of us in these parts do, this book is a must-have. Or if you simply love seeing wonderful photography.
I read this book when its apocalyptic visions were current and frightening, shortly after the first paperback edition came out in 1960; I read it again after the 35th anniversary edition came out in 1993, and was pleasantly surprised how well it had held up. I returned to it again recently after rereading Nevil Shute's "On the Beach," and again am quite surprised at how well it sustains its value, even though it was written to describe contemporary issues and technology of the late 1950s. There may be a certain quaintness about some aspects, some unfortunate racial and gender biases of the era - reported, not endorsed - in others, but I found that those informed and reminded of where we were more than they detracted. Having recently watched, or re-watched, both video versions of "On the Beach," I think "Alas, Babylon" could make a good film project in today's world. Certainly it is worth reading (or rereading) for the fiftieth anniversary of the first paperback edition.
This is listed as title "Diana F" but with the ISBN for "Diana +" [True Tales & Short Stories] - buyers looking for "Diana F+" [More True Tales and Short Stories] should hesitate before buying.
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Alan Winston has commented on (3) products.
Wild Beauty: Photographs of the Columbia River Gorge, 1867-1957 (Northwest Photography) by Terry Toedtemeier and John Laursen
Alan Winston, December 14, 2010
Wow. Thoroughly & repeatedly, throughout the book: Wow. In the first chapter, devoted to stunning 19th century photographs by the amazing Carleton Watkins, you wonder how the rest of the book can measure up. Somehow it does. If you love the Gorge, as so many of us in these parts do, this book is a must-have. Or if you simply love seeing wonderful photography.Alas, Babylon (Perennial Classics) by Pat Frank
Alan Winston, July 15, 2010
I read this book when its apocalyptic visions were current and frightening, shortly after the first paperback edition came out in 1960; I read it again after the 35th anniversary edition came out in 1993, and was pleasantly surprised how well it had held up. I returned to it again recently after rereading Nevil Shute's "On the Beach," and again am quite surprised at how well it sustains its value, even though it was written to describe contemporary issues and technology of the late 1950s. There may be a certain quaintness about some aspects, some unfortunate racial and gender biases of the era - reported, not endorsed - in others, but I found that those informed and reminded of where we were more than they detracted. Having recently watched, or re-watched, both video versions of "On the Beach," I think "Alas, Babylon" could make a good film project in today's world. Certainly it is worth reading (or rereading) for the fiftieth anniversary of the first paperback edition.Diana F by Lomography
Alan Winston, May 8, 2010
This is listed as title "Diana F" but with the ISBN for "Diana +" [True Tales & Short Stories] - buyers looking for "Diana F+" [More True Tales and Short Stories] should hesitate before buying.