As you might have noticed, the blogging's been rather light and impersonal lately. The reason's pretty simple: I am under contract to write a book, and have to deliver a manuscript by this summer.
Having never written a book before, I've decided to err on the side of caution and try to reduce distractions to the greatest extent possible. Much as I like this blog, it still unfortunately sorts into the 'distraction' category.
I will try to post now and then as time permits, but I hope you'll forgive me if the posts get a bit more sporadic. After the manuscript is submitted, I'll try to get back to more regular blogging. Maybe in the meantime I'll set up "thread" posts like Atrios, so the readers can take over in comments and start amusing slagging-matches of their own.
Oh, and the book will be a comparative analysis of the abolition of capital punishment in Germany, France, the UK, and the United States. More details later as the project takes shape. Once the book comes out, there won't be a chance you'll miss it, since this blog will turn into a 24/7 marketing machine for it.
In the meantime, thanks for your patience and understanding.
[Illustration: La Cour du Dragon by Max Ernst, which has nothing to do with the subject of this post, but which I saw a few weeks ago in Die Zeit and liked]
"We work in the dark--we do what we can--we give what we have. Our doubt is our passion, and our passion is our task. The rest is the madness of art."
Henry James, The Middle Years (1893)
Posted by: Anonymous | March 30, 2009 at 07:26 AM
Thanks, Ralph! Where does the quote you ended your comment come from?
Posted by: Andrew | March 29, 2009 at 09:33 PM
"24/7 marketing machine"? True, this blog has promotional and self-promotional aspects, but then most blogs do. At least it's for a noble cause here--Goldtiana, and so on.
Good luck with your comparative study of capital punishment. Give what you have and make your doubt your passion (my apologies to Mr. James).
Posted by: Anonymous | March 29, 2009 at 09:23 AM