Cheap books on eBay

[Titus]

Nothing in particular just all of them in general. Has the bottom dropped out of the once buoyant fishing book market? There are some great books on sale at the moment and they are going for peanuts. Have we all forgotten how to read or is the thought of reading a whole book just too much for today's, 'want it all and want it now', generation?

 

[Judas Priest]

Trouble with most books is that they take effort to read as opposed to just "gleaning" specific information from the web. You know the sort, which fishery is in vogue, which swim is the hot swim, which bait is the latest fad bait, which rig etc etc, saves on having to think for yourself.

 

[cg74]

Nothing in particular just all of them in general. Has the bottom dropped out of the once buoyant fishing book market? There are some great books on sale at the moment and they are going for peanuts. Have we all forgotten how to read or is the thought of reading a whole book just too much for today's, 'want it all and want it now', generation?

Quite possibly there is a trend towards less reading of books but I'd say regards useful instructional information books have always been a pretty pathetic source. One page of merit to ten of inane waffle.

Also I think; most good anglers are s*** writers and most good writers are s*** anglers.

Add to that, every fool that has ever held a fishing rod seems to be writing a book these days - Christ even I've been asked if I'd like to pen a chapter on my river carping exploits.

I could never understand why book prices, especially old books, ever got inflated like they were?

 

[jack sprat]

The price of many (not all of them by far) previously collectable fishing books has fallen this last year. I dare say that if and when (I'm sure it will eventually happen) we come out of recession then prices will rise to some extent. There is a glut of books about, plenty of dross but plenty of good ones. Book prices at the Romsey tackle fair were again subdued so some bargains if you knew where to look.

I've used Amazon to find bargain s/h books - go to books and put in a title or a subject. I also collect books about Oxford and the Thames and have got some tremendous bargains this way; some were 0.01p plus £2.80 postage for excellent condition hard backs with protected dj. Got some match fishing books this way as well. The books come from dealers but with Amazon protection.

 

[cg74]

Trouble with most books is that they take effort to read as opposed to just "gleaning" specific information from the web. You know the sort, which fishery is in vogue, which swim is the hot swim, which bait is the latest fad bait, which rig etc etc, saves on having to think for yourself.

In fairness I've seen you ask about baits. Whilst I accept that you may not be a 'want it now' type but none the less you asked.

I'd suggest reading books for information is seriously flawed, as it tends to be only the opinion of one. A 200 page book written by one angler or ten 5 page articles written by five different anglers, I'd go for the latter.

 

[Judas Priest]

Forgive me if proven wrong Colin but I can't remember asking a specific question about which bait.

I find good writers can transport you to the place they are writing about, the likes of Yates, BB, Buller etc and I keep reading and re reading them time and again, but some of the modern writers just bore me beyond belief.

 

[Chris Hammond ( RSPB ACA PAC}]

Trouble with most books is that they take effort to read as opposed to just "gleaning" specific information from the web. You know the sort, which fishery is in vogue, which swim is the hot swim, which bait is the latest fad bait, which rig etc etc, saves on having to think for yourself.

I really don't understand this attitude. This idea that wanting shortcuts to good fishing is some kind of crime. Surely anyone that ever picked up a fishing book or magazine was looking to learn from others experiences, and save themselves the long drawn out process of experimenting or blanking? I know I was when I read the stuff from the successful anglers of my youth.

 

[Titus]

Colin and Chris, I find your attitude depressing, A book is far more than an instruction manual. A well written book is an inspiration, it harnesses the power of your imagination, it will take you to places which a dvd or a short article can never take you. Even some of what I think of as coffee table books often contain stunning photography and line drawings which transport the reader to another place.
The other thing is the feel of a book in your hand, the smell of an old classic, the old water stains from where it was hurriedly dropped as a previous reader hurriedly dropped it in the damp grass to answer the urgent rustle of the silver paper indicator. The history practically oozes off the page. These things can never be replicated by or replaced by a cold electronic screen.

 

[Chris Hammond ( RSPB ACA PAC}]

Colin and Chris, I find your attitude depressing, A book is far more than an instruction manual. A well written book is an inspiration, it harnesses the power of your imagination, it will take you to places which a dvd or a short article can never take you. Even some of what I think of as coffee table books often contain stunning photography and line drawings which transport the reader to another place.
The other thing is the feel of a book in your hand, the smell of an old classic, the old water stains from where it was hurriedly dropped as a previous reader hurriedly dropped it in the damp grass to answer the urgent rustle of the silver paper indicator. The history practically oozes off the page. These things can never be replicated by or replaced by a cold electronic screen.

You've completely misinterpreted my post. I'm not condemning angling books. I love them!

However just because you or I enjoy reading the old fashioned format that doesn't mean everybody else will. Some people struggle with anything more than basic written language and will be more at ease with a DVD or pictorially strong media. Should they be exempt from being anglers, or condemned for not getting the same enjoyment that you or I do from a book?

 

[Judas Priest]

Chris
I never said wanting a shortcut is a crime. What I said is that some folks can't be bothered reading a book to find the required information held within preferring to use the web to glean which fishery, bait etc instantly using little effort and in my book that is lazyness.

Reading books builds knowledge and understanding, a far deeper and longer lasting knowledge than the instant angler can ever have and one that leads anyone to the ability to draw on that knowledge without realising that they actually are. The building of, retention of and understanding of that knowledge over a period of time, and the use that is put to sets the thinking angler apart from the rest.

 

[Chris Hammond ( RSPB ACA PAC}]

Chris
I never said wanting a shortcut is a crime. What I said is that some folks can't be bothered reading a book to find the required information held within preferring to use the web to glean which fishery, bait etc instantly using little effort and in my book that is lazyness.

Reading books builds knowledge and understanding, a far deeper and longer lasting knowledge than the instant angler can ever have and one that leads anyone to the ability to draw on that knowledge without realising that they actually are. The building of, retention of and understanding of that knowledge over a period of time, and the use that is put to sets the thinking angler apart from the rest.

Fair enough JP, perhaps I have in turn somewhat misinterpreted the tone of your post, so apologies for that.

I would add though that not everybody who dabbles with a rod is going to be, or even want to be, that 'thinking angler' you describe. There are levels of commitment I guess. Some will just want a quick fix and a few hours enjoyment without wanting to gain significantly as an angler. I think we all perhaps need to realise sometimes that there are no hard and fast rules around being a fisherman.

Providing that they treat the fish and the surrounding environments with respect I think everybody should be at liberty to take their enjoyment from the sport/hobby as they see fit.

I suppose that's a rather wordy way of saying, 'Live and let live.'

 

[mark brailsford 2]

Books are just magical and digital media will never replace a good, well written book whether it be fiction or fact. I would not even contemplate one of those E-readers as I love the tactile beauty of a nicely bound book!

 

[Judas Priest]

Chris no problems on my part either mate a difference of opinion is what healthy forums are for. If we all agreed, or God forbid, this site became over edited then you may as well close the thing.

 

[cg74]

Forgive me if proven wrong Colin but I can't remember asking a specific question about which bait.

I find good writers can transport you to the place they are writing about, the likes of Yates, BB, Buller etc and I keep reading and re reading them time and again, but some of the modern writers just bore me beyond belief.

At the risk of being labelled a troll etc, you asked about a bait here: http://www.fishingmagic.com/forums/coarse-fishing/311018-marukyu-groundbaits.html
I remembered it as I was interested in hearing others opinions on the baits too.

I agree that a good writer can take you to where they're writing about but like I said; IMO there are very few good anglers that also are good writers.
Perhaps it's because I'm not so old as you and Ade that slightly impedes my desire for reminiscing?

Same as I don't get this romancing about reading print on paper rather than via an electronic screen.

 

[Judas Priest]

Colin
Yep you're a Troll and no I haven't clicked on the link.
From memory I think I asked if anyone had used the stuff as I'd been asked to test a load of it and was trying to gauge reaction to it from others.

The mention of it in context with this thread was not what do you think of this bait etc but more those that want to know which swim, bait, can you put an x on the piccy where I should cast to mentality.

 

[cg74]

Phil, a genuine question; do you think there are actually that many people with such a mindset?

 

[Judas Priest]

Colin more than one that's for certain and some of them so called "names" who plaguerise others work to further their own status.
Look at what happens if a picture of a good fish appears in the press or on the web, people hunt the swims down looking for the same fish.

 

[cg74]

I guess. I just never really considered it was that widespread, on thinking about it I know of a Loddon chub, a Yorkshire pike, an Oxfordshire tench and bream, a Goyt and an Arrow barbel..... what a sad world we live in!


Enough digression from me.

 

[chav professor]

Personally never could understand how quickly book prices became inflated in the first place..... Say, a limited run of 500 to 1000 books - sure they sell out quickly - typically because greedy speculators bulk buy and horde.

However, never had a problem pre-ordering books I've wanted..... As soon as they sell out, the price just goes silly - a £30 book going for 3 figure sums days after the book signing/selling out.... If someone wanted it that badly... Just pre-order and pay face value....

After an initial spree of mad bidding that pushes the price up..... a glut of books flood the market hoping to cash in.... its does seem to calm down again pretty quickly these days.

 

[Sean Meeghan]

I do think we're heading for a change in the way we see books. e Readers are already making significant inroads into popular fiction and I do think that the paperback may well have had its day.

There will always be a place for a well written, nicely produced hardback, but I suspect that paper books may well be following cane rods into the realm of the collector and the mildly eccentric retro freak. If that is the case then I'm going to ask Mr Barder to publish my masterpiece - look what he did for the price of a centre pin reel!

---------- Post added at 09:23 ---------- Previous post was at 09:18 ----------

However, never had a problem pre-ordering books I've wanted..... As soon as they sell out, the price just goes silly - a £30 book going for 3 figure sums days after the book signing/selling out.... If someone wanted it that badly... Just pre-order and pay face value....

After an initial spree of mad bidding that pushes the price up..... a glut of books flood the market hoping to cash in.... its does seem to calm down again pretty quickly these days.

That's now part of the financial justification for the book Christian. The publisher charges a fee for producing the book, paid by people with an interest. These people buy a number of copies (numbered limited versions are the best) and then flog them at inflated prices to recoup their expenditure.

I suspect that one of our specialist groups will catch a cold in this manner at some point in the future.