[BITList] The Fallen Status of Books

[HUGH]

John,

The death of books. I don't know anybody who reads e-books, nor do I know 
what a book party is.  I have been at one book launch kind of thing - stand 
around in the author's home with a drink and chat to the Glasgow literati, 
but a party it wasn't - too serious for that.  And not that long ago I was 
at a book launch as one of half a dozen of its co-authors - stand around 
with a drink and try to find out what's happening. Looking stuff up on 
Google is superficially attractive, but there comes no provenance with the 
alleged facts.  I was taught to examine the credentials of the writer,  but 
that is not possible via Google.  Books are a long way from dead.

Hugh.