- #31
moe darklight
- 409
- 0
MODS: I hope this isn't seen as advertising, seeing as I'm recommending specific editions of books. I just post this because it took me some work to find good editions to these books and I like sharing good stuff when I find it 
. if it breaks any forum rules I'll take it down.
Just thought this is worth posting, but not really worth starting a brand new thread for
For books that are rather ancient, it's REALLY hard to find a good edition. For the canterbury tales, for example, there are so many different versions that it's a dizzying task to find what you're looking for: there are modern english versions—quality of translation and conservation of original tone varying—, Middle English versions that do not contain all the tales or lack a glossary or proper notes, RIDICULOUSLY expensive versions, etc. etc. etc.
This happens with most old books.
After I started this thread, I realized that, even though I've enjoyed these books so much, I don't actually own them!— I've read them mostly on the internet or in libraries or in school. In chunks. And whenever I've seen a copy at a bookstore, it's never a good one.
Well, I've finally got my copies— after a some work searching for the very best ones. So I thought it was worth to recommend the best editions I found, and save anyone else who might be thinking about getting these the trouble of making sure they're getting what they payed for.
(I put the ISBN code of each, since the title is sometimes the same for two completely different editions
)
Canterbury Tales: ISBN 014042234X — It's GREAT. Not only are all the tales in here, in Middle English as they were originally written (save modernized spelling in the case of letters that no longer exist), but there are a LOT of "bonus" features... like 550 pages of bonus stuff! . half of the book is notes on the history of the time, a little intro to the grammar and spelling of M.E, a section of VERY extensive notes on each tale filled with various expert interpretations and external resources, and a complete glossary (I'm yet to look for a word and find it missing)... 15$ ! . if you're Canadian like me, that's less than the GST on a can of pepsi.
The Old Testament: 0827606974 -- 0827607660 (hardcover and a cheaper edition) . The Hebrew and English translation side by side. Also filled with notes on every part that could be interpreted in different ways due to Hebrew's awkward spelling, and on passages whose meaning is unknown or debated. The source of the text is the official of the JPS and is the result of decades of looking for the best and most accurate old testament texts.
... I remember arguing with someone on a separate thread over this, they argued that, due to its awkward spelling, Hebrew words in the bible could be given many meanings. I claimed it was written in very straight-forward language.— the thread got out of control and was locked before I had the chance to reply and cite sources for my claim (and what better source than the text itself :) ).— The introduction deals with this misconception: while this happens, they calculated it happens in less then 99% of the passages! they mark every equivocal passage; there aren't many, and seldom does this happen at crucial plot points— ... but I'm ADD and strayed from whatever my point was.
Don Quijote: 8420467286 — I've actually never read it. Mostly because I couldn't find a Spanish version and I'd hate to have to read a translation of the language I was born to and speak at home
. If you speak spanish, this is a great edition, also filled with notes and essays (and contains BOTH books). with the exception of the hardcover old testament, they are all surprisingly cheap! at 9-15$ for books that are like 2000 pages each, filled with not only these great classics, but expert background, glossaries, and so on... this is great considering you'll find many crappy editions at 30 or even 40 bucks.
well... writing this has certainly helped me with my boredom and insomnia and nerves of moving to NY for a month next week far from everyone I know
.
. if it breaks any forum rules I'll take it down. Just thought this is worth posting, but not really worth starting a brand new thread for
For books that are rather ancient, it's REALLY hard to find a good edition. For the canterbury tales, for example, there are so many different versions that it's a dizzying task to find what you're looking for: there are modern english versions—quality of translation and conservation of original tone varying—, Middle English versions that do not contain all the tales or lack a glossary or proper notes, RIDICULOUSLY expensive versions, etc. etc. etc.
This happens with most old books.
After I started this thread, I realized that, even though I've enjoyed these books so much, I don't actually own them!— I've read them mostly on the internet or in libraries or in school. In chunks. And whenever I've seen a copy at a bookstore, it's never a good one.
Well, I've finally got my copies— after a some work searching for the very best ones. So I thought it was worth to recommend the best editions I found, and save anyone else who might be thinking about getting these the trouble of making sure they're getting what they payed for.
(I put the ISBN code of each, since the title is sometimes the same for two completely different editions
)Canterbury Tales: ISBN 014042234X — It's GREAT. Not only are all the tales in here, in Middle English as they were originally written (save modernized spelling in the case of letters that no longer exist), but there are a LOT of "bonus" features... like 550 pages of bonus stuff! . half of the book is notes on the history of the time, a little intro to the grammar and spelling of M.E, a section of VERY extensive notes on each tale filled with various expert interpretations and external resources, and a complete glossary (I'm yet to look for a word and find it missing)... 15$ ! . if you're Canadian like me, that's less than the GST on a can of pepsi
. The Old Testament: 0827606974 -- 0827607660 (hardcover and a cheaper edition) . The Hebrew and English translation side by side. Also filled with notes on every part that could be interpreted in different ways due to Hebrew's awkward spelling, and on passages whose meaning is unknown or debated. The source of the text is the official of the JPS and is the result of decades of looking for the best and most accurate old testament texts.
... I remember arguing with someone on a separate thread over this, they argued that, due to its awkward spelling, Hebrew words in the bible could be given many meanings. I claimed it was written in very straight-forward language.— the thread got out of control and was locked before I had the chance to reply and cite sources for my claim (and what better source than the text itself :) ).— The introduction deals with this misconception: while this happens, they calculated it happens in less then 99% of the passages! they mark every equivocal passage; there aren't many, and seldom does this happen at crucial plot points— ... but I'm ADD and strayed from whatever my point was.
Don Quijote: 8420467286 — I've actually never read it. Mostly because I couldn't find a Spanish version and I'd hate to have to read a translation of the language I was born to and speak at home
. If you speak spanish, this is a great edition, also filled with notes and essays (and contains BOTH books). with the exception of the hardcover old testament, they are all surprisingly cheap! at 9-15$ for books that are like 2000 pages each, filled with not only these great classics, but expert background, glossaries, and so on... this is great considering you'll find many crappy editions at 30 or even 40 bucks. well... writing this has certainly helped me with my boredom and insomnia and nerves of moving to NY for a month next week far from everyone I know
.
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