Just ordered. Quote Code 25A for a 25% discount. Phone 1-800-826-8911 to order (under $19 US) However, no rush. The book is slated to be ready for shipping the end of April.
I should state from the off that I believe that Lonnie Johnson was an incredibly gifted musician whose influence on modern music is huge. Imagine my excitement when I came across Alger's book which promised to not only confirm my belief but to also place Johnson's life in its historical context and to reveal his wider socio-political influence. The problem I have with the book is that it is almost unreadable. It reads like the work of a 1st year undergraduate who is discovering the complexities of the English language for the first time. Alger, unlike his subject, has no ear or sense of rhythm. Sentences jar the senses. I settled down to read this book in a couple of sittings, but a week later I can't get beyond page 60. I will persevere, but ugly writing is not the correct vehicle for steering us through the complex forces at play in the genius of Lonnie Johnson.
I have his card here. It reads: I'm sending you this card, it's a Xmas card, hoping you have a merry, or at the very least, a pleasant festive, or Xmas (as I mentioned earlier) break, or holiday (see Chapter 5 where I proceed and go into this in greater detail).
Vidal, you forgot to include the quote from the wonderfully informative and well written Xmas card (Hallmark 1932, pg 2) with the snow covered house (that may have been Lonnie J's home in East St. Louis before he may or may not have moved to Texas when he may or may not have been married to Mary). A reading of the text clearly infers that this might have been the same card he could have sent to the son (Clarence) he may or may not have had but I believe he did, as do others as I cite later in Chapter 7. Especially noteworthy is the text heretofore uncommented on by Blues Scholars "Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men" which clearly indicates Lonnie J's intention to be a leading and important figure in the battle for civil rights and clearly shows why he should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and should have a movie made about his life.
I too am slogging through this book. I will make it through because I am very interested in the subject and any info I can glean I find value in. The author clearly has a love for the subject and did a tremendous amount of research work. The writing "style" will probably not appeal to most people. I'm thankful that I got the Kindle edition for 12 bucks or so...can't say I'm likely to read it more than once at this point.
Good copy editors have gone the way of the Dodo, it seems. And even if one were at North Texas Press, only so much might be done with writing that may, or may not, be conscious or, perhaps, unconscious in its tumidity, its sufflation.
Yeah, copy editors and proofreaders are virtually non-existent these days. But the problems go beyond that, as clear and well written expository prose might not be a bad place from which to begin one's copy editing and/or proofreading. (Bear in mind the old expression, "You can't polish shit!") Patty Limerick's essay of twenty years back, "Dancing With Professors," has been mentioned several times before, but for those of you who may not be familiar with it, here are a couple of links:
"The first side he recorded that day had the oh-so-apt title, "Playing With the Strings" - borrowed for the title of these two chapters. Beyong the obvious reference to the guitar strings, the title is apt in the sense that his guitar work here has a playful nature, it is very upbeat and lively, and one just feels Lonnie's fingers dancing over the strings" "Non-specialist readers of this book will probably enjoy this tune even more than "Hotter Than That"
I have met and been in touch with Dean. He strikes me as a serious, dedicated admirer of Lonnie's music, but I'm afraid I have to agree with Vidal. Not a book that does Lonnie's artistry justice.