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Review of William Stafford: An Annotated Bibliography
This book is a wonder and a wonderful place to wander if you like William Stafford’s work. It is also a wonder of the bibliographer’s art. Stafford’s production was immense and keeping track of it a daunting task.
Recently, Oak Knoll Press and Lewis & Clark College’s William Stafford: An Annotated Bibliography was reviewed in the Spring/Summer 2013 issue of the Friends of William Stafford newsletter. It is a glowing review that captures the importance of this bibliography for those interested in William Stafford.
For anyone interested in the work of William Stafford, this book is a browser’s dream. The index, seventy pages long, lists so many poems, essays, magazines, anthologies, presses, broadsides, and people’s names, each entry a story in itself, it is truly astonishing. One could get lost, which I can testify to, and find oneself hours later, more informed and having formed an even more profound respect for Stafford’s stature. This is a truly multi-dimensional book.
William Stafford (1914-1993) was one of the most prolific and important American poets of the last half of the twentieth century. During his lifetime, Stafford wrote over sixty books of poetry that still resonate with a wide range of readers. In this bibliography, one will find descriptions of Stafford’s work, from his books, to his contributions in magazines, to his translations of other poets’ works. The Friends of William Stafford newsletter review summarizes each section of the bibliography and gives several examples of what one will find within the covers of the book.
The past (his work), the present (the physical book), and the future (the ability to assess his stature) cohere in this hefty and handsome book. It is a major contribution toward the appreciation and understanding of William Stafford’s work and its resonance through time.
To read the entire review, email publishing@oakknoll.com to request a pdf copy. You can order William Stafford: An Annotated Bibliography online here!
The dimensionality of this book comes from the way it gathers the past, visually realizes the present, and offers the future the opportunity to form itself. This is his legacy in the sense that it catalogues his gift and enables it. It glows because it contains within its covers the past, the present, and the future of William Stafford, poet and thinker.
Some Recent Reviews
Check out these excellent reviews of books published or distributed by Oak Knoll Press that have been recently featured in some of the leading journals in the field of books.
Other People’s Books: Association Copies and the Stories They Tell
Other People’s Books: Association Copies and the Stories They Tell is the ultimate book about books: richly illustrated essays about famous association copies of rare books. Bibliophiles can only be grateful for such an artistically produced, scholarly, entertaining book on tell-tale copies that continues to be, in the digital half-world, still filled with devotion and awe for the printed book. —Pradeep Sebastian, The Hindu
Aun Aprendo: A Comprehensive Bibliography of the Writings of Aldous Leonard Huxley by David Bromer—
Aun Aprendo was obviously assembled with ease of use in mind. Pages are uncrowded and crisply presented, with generous spacing and margens. Collectors, librarians, and booksellers will find this work indispensible. It is unquestionably now the standard work on the publications of Huxley.—Brian Cassidy, Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America Newsletter
The Last of the Great Swashbucklers: A Bio-Bibliography of Rafael Sabatini by Jesse F. Knight and Stephen Darley
I must shout my praise to the rooftops for Darley’s detailed descriptions of those jackets he had to hand. The main entries are very clear and detailed, and everything that anyone would hope for…To conclude, the bibliography has catered very well for the rational collector, and will prove to be an excellent addition to his shelves. —George Locke, Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association Newsletter
Books as History: The Importance of Books Beyond Their Texts by David Pearson
Even if you have read the first edition I highly recommend this revised one. —Sandy Cohen, Guild of Book Workers Newsletter
What he does, in eight lavishly illustrated chapters—is demolish the idea, current with the digital faithful, that physical books are passe, that they have been merely text all dressed up, now with no place to go. That book lovers will adore Books as History is a given, I believe. It’s a joy to behold, read, and digest. —Stephen J. Gertz—Booktryst Blog
This chapter, like all of the others, is gorgeously illustrated with full-color images of bindings, bookplates, pages of print, pages of manuscript, dust jackets, advertisements, and book art; reading the captions alone would impress the unconverted. Pearson succeeds in providing a history of the book that is serious and though provoking without begin pedantic. In a perfect world, Books as History would be required reading for students of history, contemporary culture, literature, and library science. —Rebecca Rego Barry, Fine Books & Collections
Beautiful Bookbindings: A Thousand Years of the Bookbinder’s Art by P.J.M. Marks
The full-color photographs, especially the close-ups, are magnificent. Beautiful Bookbindings: A Thousand Years of the Bookbinder’s Art is a beautifully produced and printed art-book. The color photography is wonderful and the insights and occasional gossip fun. —Sandy Cohen, Guild of Book Workers Newsletter
Line, Shade and Shadow: The Fabrication and Preservation of Architectural Drawings by Lois Olcott Price
A labor of love for Price for over two decades, this work amply rewards those who have long awaited its publication. The abundance, large photographs by Jim Schenck compliment Price’s descriptive text. High praise goes to Price for clearly presenting a myriad of helpful solutions for a large array of materials and collections. It is nice to have information that was once missing, now all in one place. —Stephanie Watkins, WAAC Newsletter
The book is technical in its precision, full of excellent illustrated examples, and accessible in its straighforwardness. —L.E. Carranza, CHOICE
Congratulations again to Lois Olcott Price for being the winner of the 2011 Historic Preservation Book Prize!
The Last of the Great Swashbucklers Reviewed
Here is a recent review of The Last of the Great Swashbucklers: A Bio-Bibliography of Rafael Sabatini by Jesse F. Knight and Stephen Darley. The book was reviewed by Cindy Vallar of Pirates and Privateers The History of Maritime Piracy.
Thank you Ms. Vallar!
Click here to see what she had to say.