If it’s a wine book, I’m going to find room on my shelves for it. I’m addicted to books, so I guess I’m not going to play well in the next generation, because I still love to see, read, smell, and feel books. I love carrying them with me where ever I go.
If it’s well written, I want it to be well read… and not on a computer screen. I spend so much time writing on my own computer screen, I don’t want the reflective glare, the digital format, or the inconvenience of scrolling down for my own recreational reading. It takes so much more time and energy than simply turning a page, and it’s just not that convenient for long, luxurious moments.
And, don’t even get me started on Blackberry reading. Who’s bright idea was that, anyway? I’m not wanting to read print so small I have to keep changing my eye glass prescription every time I get a new cell phone upgrade, thank you very much.
So, my new addition to my wine library, which will be treasured as all of my other books…
History of Wine Words is not only a fabulous body of work for its quick sound bytes, but it’s also an important body of work by Charles Hodgson, because it brings so many new concepts to its readers that we might have otherwise missed in our pursuit of wine knowledge. It’s one that you’ll find yourself wanting to curl up with in a hammock, just thumbing through the pages as you wile away the non-scripted hours of your busy life.
In my dinosauric pursuits, I still continue to develop my physical library, with a huge section on wine. As far as I’m concerned, everyone who falls into the “wine book lover” category, wants to have History of Wine Words gracing your shelves, too… Most especially if you’re a researcher and/or writer. This book will quickly open up new worlds for you. After 16 years of being in the wine business, studying it, writing about it, enjoy all that it has to offer, I’m very clear on what this wine world is all about. It’s an ever opening lotus. Or, for you jocks out there, it’s like walking through the door of a stadium, and realizing that you’ve not really arrived, but that you’re just starting to play the game. One step leads to the next experience, and the next, and the next… always developing your skill, understanding, and performance.
I agree with the sub title of this book, “An Intoxicating Dictionary of Etymology and Word Histories from the Vineyard, Glass, and Bottle.” It is intoxicating, and it covers all things “wine.” I believe that this may be just the beginning, though, for Charles Hodgson. How can he stop with just this first dictionary of etymology? It seems that this could be a very addictive pursuit, given his really curious mind for getting to the bottom of words.
Here’s a tidbit from the book; something I would never have known had I not read it in this book. To know this, I would have had to had traveled to this region… Which I’d love to do, but it’s not on my calendar any time soon:
Orvieto * These wines are named for the Italian town near which they are produced. The town’s name comes from the contraction of the Latin name Urbs Vetus, meaning “old town”; there had been a settlement there since Etruscan times.
This book totally intrigues me, because I find language compelling. It’s a perfect book for people who think in sound bytes, or for wanting to snag a new thought to use as a conversation opener at a party, instead of using the old classic, “So, what’s your sign?”
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