Friday, May 11, 2007

Links & Reviews

Much news this morning:

- Chicago's Newberry Library and Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies have purchased a copy of Postilla Litteralis super totam Bibliam, a Bible commentary by Nicolaus de Lyra printed in the 15th century, according to Chicago Public Radio. This copy is the third known in the U.S.

-The Herald reports that three key Gaelic documents may go on tour through the Highlands and Scottish islands. The Fernaig Manuscript (a collection of early Gaelic verse dating from the late seventeenth century), the Islay Charter of 1408 ("
the only Gaelic language land charter in existence and the earliest complete example of the public use of Gaelic in the 15th century") and the 1609 Statutes of Iona (signed by the clan chiefs and designed to "civilize" the Highlands) have never been displayed together. If the current plan goes forward, the three may be exhibited at Iona, Islay, Inverness, Skye, Uist and Stornoway. [h/t Shelf:Life]

- fade theory's got the video of Salman Rushdie on "The Colbert Report" discussing literary criticism and book review sections.

- In the Christian Science Monitor, Gregory Lamb reviews a few of the recent Jamestown books, focusing on Benjamin Woolley's Savage Kingdom.


- Joyce's police tape has reappeared: a copy of John Banim's The Ghost-Hunter and His Family (London: 1852) has gone missing from Motte & Bailey Booksellers in Ann Arbor. Full description here.


- Also from Bibliophile Bullpen, books as commodes.

- BibliOdyssey's most recent compilation of images comes from Remarkable Persons, a collection of sensational illustrations and text by James Caulfield (1819-20).

- Reading Copy notes that AbeBooks has opened a Religion and Spirituality room.

- Over at the LATimes, Janice Nimura reviews Rebecca Stott's Ghostwalk ... hmm, might have to add this one to the list.