May 21, 2010
Some advance reviewers understandably lamented the absence of pictures. Random House's hardcover edition, available June 15, has three dozen spectacular color images.
Some also questioned whether what happened in 2004 was actually a race. Great question. Webster's primary def is "the act of running." It wasn't that, obviously. Nor "a strong or rapid current of water flowing through a narrow channel." (Secondary Web. def) But "a contest or rivalry involving progress toward a goal?" Absolutely, positively.
And Nat Geo called it "Race to the Center of the Earth" in April 2004.
Really, though, both expeditions' achievements are more important than any label.
Comments
Just read the sample on this site describing a near-death fall into a hole in the world and this book is now a "must read." Hope to find Jim somewhere around Vermont, too, and get him to sign it.
Tom, hopefully they won't ban the audiobook, like Vermont just did texting while driving!
Seriously, thanks to all. The appearance schedule is posted elsewhere on this website. If anyone happens to be close, please do stop by and say hello.
Jim
@y0himba on Twitter: Just finished reading 'Blind Descent' by James M. Tabor. It is the single best book I have ever read, or will ever read. http://j.mp/ccFfhe
Thanks for those very kind words! I've never been to St. Louis, but would love to go there. Random House generously has sent me all over the country already on the book tour, so I doubt we'll make it to St. L this year. But I do appreciate your writing and spreading the word about Blind Descent. My hope in writing it (in addition to selling books, of course; a guy's gotta eat) was to generate appreciation of the supercave explorers' amazing accomplishments, and awareness seems to be growing, thanks to great readers like yourself.
Thanks again, be well, and keep in touch.
Jim
A good question that I'll ask Random House. They deal with items like that, but I'll find out and let you know.
Thanks!
Jim