Books & Lit
Why I won't buy The Little Book of Rob Ford
As much as it's a cliche to say that one should avoid judging a book by its cover, in some instances this really isn't the worst practice - especially when the publisher's blurb reveals pretty much exactly what to expect from a particular title. Such is the case, I suspect, with the soon-to-be-released The Little Book of Rob Ford, published, almost unbelievably, by the once noble House of Anansi Press. CanLit fans will know this as the same press that brought us such classics as Margaret Atwood's Survival, Northrop Frye's The Bush Garden, and co-founder Dennis Lee's poetry (amongst other titles).
Why a house with such roots would deem it a good idea to publish a book of questionable quotations from Toronto's new mayor is slightly mystifying. Despite the fact that it's unlikely that a book of recycled and mostly well-known sound bites will garner much buzz (and revenue) beyond the week of its release, Anansi is still willing to take a chance on permanently sullying its reputation with such a substance-less offering. And even if the whole thing is one big joke from the so-called Unknown Torontonian (who's credited as the author), the logic behind such a publication remains dubious.
Sure, some of the quotations will be humorous and still others will be horrifying, but it's all old news. It'd be better to scroll through the hundreds of Rob Ford videos on YouTube, which surely many have already done. Not only that, but it' all just a little juvenile, isn't it? I'm as up for a Rob Ford joke as the next guy, but it seems counterproductive to me to dwell on such well-known blunders and politically incorrect statements. As seems to be written in the comments around here quite often, "Ford won the election - it's time to get over it."
For the record, I'm all for intelligent and engaged criticism of Ford's policies, but assuming this title comes as advertised, it's unlikely to offer anything in this capacity. While it remains to be seen if the book shows any balance in the curation of its quotations, the few that are offered for our delectation on Anansi's website don't exactly inspire confidence. Who knows? Maybe I'm missing something, and this'll prove to be a wildly successful and laugh-inducing offering. But to say that I'm dubious that such a thing will come to pass would be a massive understatement.
The Little Book of Rob Ford is due out some time next month and will retail for $8.99.
Discussion
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That's really going downmarket.
But remember that there were similar books
about Mike Harris. I had one of them and
I got it from the remainder table at World's
Biggest Bookstore.
This will probably hit the remainder bins
quickly or else be pulped.
You can tell us the truth it be on your coffee table as a conversation starter. :p :p
It's a quick-and-dirty release and I don't think Anansi mean it to be anything else. Lighten up.
Why do you think this will be a bad thing?
The press must see a value (monetary, publicity, politics, whatever) in publishing this thing. Seems to me we should actually see the book before we condemn Anansi. And, if it turns out to be a flop, then too bad for them.
you whiny self absorbed moron.
The most obvious reason to condemn this books is that it sounds like it's a waste of the paper it's printed on. Presses like Anansi shouldn't be offering up such cheap crap on a subject that's worthy of careful criticism and debate.
Maybe someone thought it was time to expose the things this man has said? I'm sure this city's bad habit of short-term memory needs some refreshing.
Wow folks, bias or what?! Please don't give me the old "But we're a blog, not a newspaper!" line. "Almost unbelievably"? Did you say the same when David Miller's piece of crapola tome was dropped on the public last year?
I'm not defending Ford here; I am commenting on your editorial bias.
And it is no secret that Derek dislikes ford, and this blog is very left leaning.
Oh, I probably shouldn't have to point this out, but this is not a book by Rob Ford - unlike the Miller text to which you refer - it's a little exercise in poking fun. Get it now? I'm exhausted...
Hey Derek, if others "miss your point," perhaps you expressed it improperly.
If you want to write an anti-Ford editorial, please, be my guest... but include a disclaimer. If you want to make it as a journalist, attacks on Ford disguised as news won't cut it.
As mentioned earlier, a certain slant is acceptable, but elaboration is needed, along with a semblance of balance.
I think though, that it is hilarious that Anansi published this. Peggy must need some funny toilet reading for her guests at the cottage.
why not wait till something "horrendous" ACTUALLY happens, and then critique it?
unless you're a Republican, or something
You should probably pass on this book. It's for people who can read.
-not in line with the character/tone of their previous publications
-dubious motivation
-recycled material, old news
-juvenile, counterproductive
-no evidence of balance
-unlikely to offer intelligent criticism,
etc.
WAH WAH WAH
..it's just silly. and annoying that so many find it as news.. c'mon. it's just a commentary on news that everyone should already know from other sources! if you want to vent for change then go somewhere else where it may have a voice.
either way Derek, I love it! keep it up! :)
If you hate Derek so much, why do you all comment on every g*ddamn article he writes? Continually? I see the same names popping up almost daily. Do you really have nothing better to do?
If i don't like the books a publishing house, should I not lament about how it's fallen from grace?
Good grief.
"You should probably pass on this book. It's for people who can read."
Umm, read my comment, genius.
I love Ford, I love what he stands for, and yes, I will still buy the book, much like the little tome on New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Assuming you possess a scintilla of intelligence, "Dave," you might know that Bloomberg's former employees self-published a nasty little book of Bloomberg's nasty comments before the NY mayoral race, hoping it would discredit him.
Guess what? It didn't, and he's mayor. Much like the Leftie media in Toronto trying to assail Ford's character with nefarious comments about his ancient Florida DUI, the marital incident, and his comments about hard-working Asians.
My point? Bloomberg won. So did Ford. I will buy the book, and smile at Mayor Ford's honesty. He is a true anti-politicians in the traditional sense.
The ones who hate Ford can either suck up, suck it, or leave Toronto. Ford is the best thing to happen to this great city in decades.
"If I don't like a book, should I not complain about it? If i don't like the books a publishing house, should I not lament about how it's fallen from grace?"
ONE book on a particular subject means a publisher has "fallen from grace"? By your "logic," does that mean that a film production company that does art films has gone down a slippery slope when they co-produce a Vin Diesel movie?
Mike W, your comment is illogical.
Zing!
FACTS were reported about Fords past behaviors and this is done with any person in public office.
And it is relevent in understanding Fords thinking based on his track record.
There were some disturbing things such as his abusing his wife to the point that she had to call the police on him.
Personally I think the man is a jackass !
All that was reported about him was true , and he lied about impaired driving whitch in itself tells me he is not a man of any class or honesty.
But I suppose it matter not to you what he is as long as he saves you some taxes , your asn idiot ! But I guess your post already establishes that.