THE POWER OF BOOKS AS LASTING VEHICLES FOR IDEAS

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 699.

UNIT I TEXT

After landing

Books can change lives by making people think. The published product is more than the sum total of its constituent parts. Indeed, perhaps the published product is not a product at all; rather, a packaging for the real product – the ideas or message contained within the covers.

The ability to publish provides first a voice and second a position in the “establishment”. It is interesting to view Robert Maxwell's determination to acquire a national newspaper, and the general unwillingness of other newspapers and journalists to challenge such a public and litigious figure, in this context, or Rupert Murdoch's ownership of five British national newspapers and the international BskyB without reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

And this voice brings with it further powers – or responsibilities.

Students on publishing courses are taught that books are

upholders of civilization. Some people say:

…the printed word should be treated differently as it affects the

whole question of free speach , debate and arguments throughout

the land.”

…a book is more than its cover, pages and ink thereon. It is about ideas and values, and these have a price beyond its physical components.”

…books shape our imaginings and aspirations, , and, through them, our reality… publishers have a responsibility to question

a book's moral impact on society and to reject those which could be damaging, however profitable”.