Leaders who seek readers: Realistically, any politician who has time to produce a book while occupying or seeking high office is either employing a ghost writer or is shirking more important duties through an egotistical desire to see their name lying vertically in a library. Yet the continuing belief that the electorate will be impressed by a glossy oblong talking up the candidate means that those who are running soon run towards a publisher. [Guardian]
Drawing Power: What I want to know is: How did this formerly ghettoized medium became one of the rare publishing categories that’s actually expanding these days? [Washington Post]
Michael Baxandall changed my life: This week was a sad one for art history with the death at 74 of Michael Baxandall, one of our most acute commentators on painting and sculpture. His Painting and Experience in 15th-Century Italy is a life-changing book that makes even the most apparently banal Renaissance painting spring to life. [Telegraph]
Biden Book, Once Forgotten, Now a Best Seller: A day after Senator Obama chose Mr. Biden as his running mate for the Democratic ticket, Mr. Biden’s “Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics” was in the top 10 on Barnes & Noble.com and in the top 40 on Amazon.com. [NY Sun]
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