Nov 22 2008
Times or Oxford -or- The Creation of a Dream Library
Oxford Atlas of the World
In the future I imagine for myself (on those days when homework is piling up and the money is running low) I have my own library. Dark wood, of course, ladders to the ceiling, a fireplace, fat maroon reading chaises–you know, the usual. I also will own two wooden oversized book stands. On one will sit a worn and perpetually open Oxford English Dictionary. The other will hold aloft, reverently, an atlas.
The question then is: what atlas? As many new ones have come to the store in the past few weeks, the answer has only slipped further from my grasp. The obvious choice for a library out of a 19th century novel is the new, leather-bound Oxford Comprehensive Atlas of the World, which just came out in October. Two-hundred-ninety pages of maps! (I think that deserves another exclamation point: !) And how perfect would its gilded pages look up on that stand? But then there is the Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World, also out this October. Slightly fewer pages of maps, but over 200,000 place names and geographical features in an unbelievable index. (!) This decision would require much sitting in a plush overstuffed chair, staring into the fire.
As it stands, I have no library. I have bookcase upon bookcase of books I’ve read, books I’m going to read, and books I pretend I’ll get to some day. I still want an atlas, though, and am considering upgrading from my 1999 Oxford with this year’s also new standard sized Oxford Atlas of the World. The sale here brings it to $68, which is, of course, another selling point. Sure, it’s not as big as the Comprehensive, but that way it doesn’t need that atlas stand from the dream of my future–my bed can suffice for now.
Read more: Atlases, NewsLlalan specializes in all things Ohio, but has funny stories from all over the US and Canada, plus a few snort-inducing ones from Thailand. And not only does she read books from around the world, she also samples beers in as many languages as possible. Favorite style: the multi-national American Double IPA.
Excellent choices–any or all
Great site. Thanks…