Map in hand that I can't see?

The Island of Lost Maps - A True Story of Cartographic Crime by Miles Harvey

Finished reading January 1, 2009

Notes:

It often takes me a while to get back on track with my reading list. The temptation to pick up books not on the list is a temptation I find hard to resist. As of 2009 the need to reach some of my reading goals has been renewed. So, that led me to picking up a book that had been placed on the list in 2000. Overall, I enjoyed the book. The subject is fascinating, especially if you are interested in books, history and maps. The author Miles Harvey stumbled upon a seemingly obscure crime committed by a seemingly obscure, or bland perpetrator (Gilbert Bland). Having spent so much time in Special Collections at various University and public libraries I quickly became engaged with the topic. The mere thought of a razor blade and the destruction of priceless books horrified me. It was not because of any monetary value placed on the items but instead on the thought of the destruction of knowledge. This knowledge was being held by these institutions as a service to everyone.

-The book draws parallels between the author life and that of the perpetrator.
-Sometimes veers a bit too far from the mapping of the crime to the mapping of the soul/brain

-Might find it interesting to read Frances Wood's, Did Marco Polo Go to China?

-Is it a coincidence that I had just read quick interview of Paul Theroux (mystery writer) in I believe it was a cooking magazine, and then to have him quoted in this book. (pg33)

-interesting quote (p73) from an inscription at the library of the San Pedro monastery in Barcelona:

"For him that steals, or borrows and returns not, a book from its owner, let it change into a serpent in his hand and rend him. Let him be struck with palsy, and all his members blasted. Let him languish in pain crying aloud for mercy, and let there be no surcease to his agony till he sing in dissolution. Let bookworms gnaw at his entrails in token of the Worm that dieth (sp) not. And when at last he goes to his final punishment, let the flames of Hell consume him forever."

-Other names for librarians: Learned Men of the Magic Library, Scribes of the Double House of Life, Mistresses of the House of Books, Ordainers of the Universe, Keeper of the Books

-at the end of the book he suggests that perhaps the role or responsibilities of libraries will change, they will once again revert to sacred temples with only limited access to the public. Why? Security, Preservation ; suppose other methods of access exist now?where is the loss in being able to view or handle the actual or incredible copies of the real thing.
-who will have access

-author mentions that many librarians are horrified by the idea of dog-earring a book; Dad always stressed the importance of not doing that; why when I have such a great love of books do I dog-ear mine?

-Along the idea of paths is it coincidence that after having read this book that one of the next ones I just picked up from the library book sale, which was also on my reading list, is also about maps? It has been on there a long time and it showed up now?on the heels of this book.