Aaaaargh! An Old Book Fell Apart in my Hands!
Whenever I buy an old book, I debate whether or not I should read actually read it or not. I’m talking about yellowing books with frail spines and delicate aging newsprint paper that feels like it can disintegrate on your fingertips. A part of me wants to preserve these out-of-print books. The other part of me wants to read them. After all, what’s the point of a book if you don’r read it?
I felt confident that I could read the above copy of The Moneyman by Thomas B. Costain. The spine felt a little insecure, but I have a light touch when I turn the pages. I thought it was worth the risk. I generally like Thomas B. Costain books (though they sometimes focus on the part of the story I’m least interested in). I took the chance and halfway through the book…. Aaaarrrgh!
I knew there was a strong possibility/probability that the book could fall apart while I was reading it, but I have a history of handling old books. I collect them and old comics as well. I take pride in keeping my hands clean and turning pages with care. My mistake, however, was that I became too interested in The Moneyman. The print in those old books can get close to the left margins, and sometimes you have to spread the binding just a little and then… Aaaarrrgh!
The book didn’t have any monetary value, even before it fell apart, so it’s not like I flushed my family’s financial future away on a lame horse. I think I spent $2 on that crusty paperback from 1947. I guess I’m the only guy who still wants to read The Moneyman in 2025.
Ideally, I would have read the book AND kept it intact, but I guess this time I had to make the choice. Even though a book is meant to be read, and I actually enjoyed the experience, I kind of feel guilty. It’s like I destroyed an antique. Yeah, 1947 isn’t that long ago in terms of antiquity, but once I realized that The Moneyman was a good book, I probably could have found a newer copy.
I also have this old beat up copy of Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini, but I don’t think I’ll read it. I’ve learned my lesson.
BONUS BOOK REVIEW:
The Moneyman by Thomas B. Costain was a good book. I finished it (even after it fell apart in my hands).
If you can get yourself a newer copy of The Moneyman, I recommend it, especially if you like historical novels about the Renaissance. The book has a little bit of everything, from romance, to adventure to war to mystery to political intrigue. It even has a legal thriller aspect towards the end of the novel (but I think that’s the weakest part).
Just please find a copy that’s not in danger of falling apart.
*****
What do you think? Should I read this? Or should I leave it alone?
Dysfunctional Literacy 
Ahhhh, memories. I read all of them way back in the late 50s….I might even still have my copy of Captain Blood. The good old days. Too old to revisit them now, my TBR is so high already and I keep finding myself rereading other stuff or crap stuff off internet…I follow the bouncing ball of my ADHD distraction wherever it takes me and Captain Blood is not today….but never say never now that you have put the bug in my ear.
If you do have that copy of Captain Blood and decide to read it, be very careful with it.
Most of my old books are field guides (I like the art) and they’ve held up surprisingly well!
I would say find a digital copy and read that instead, but it’s not the same. Especially with these old books. You have to read the one in your hands. If it falls apart, it’s not your fault.
I still have my original copy of the Lord of the Rings trilogy that I got back in the 80s. It fell apart in my hands because I read it so many times. I got a new box set of all three, just so I know its there, but I haven’t touched it yet.
To my surprise, I just found a digital copy on Amazon Kindle. A few years ago, out-of-publication books like this were rare on Kindle, but that seems to have changed recently. My beat-up ruined copy of The Moneyman seems to be mocking me now.