Vested interests: essays and fantasies.
Published by Rochester, N.Y.: The author, 1982
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Steven Wolfe Books, Newton Centre, MA, U.S.A.Steven Wolfe Books
AbeBooks seller since May 24, 2001
Condition: Used
US$ 15.00
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Raimi, Ralph A., 1924-. Vested interests: essays and fantasies. Rochester, N.Y.: The author, 1982, 209pp., good dust-jacket lightly rubbed, small tears at top of spine, very good dark red cloth. Essays and fiction on a variety of subjects, including commentary on the University of Rochester; many parts first printed in University of Rochester publications. - Vested Interests is a collection of essays, newspaper columns, stories, parodies, and other observations, some of them funnier than the rest. They concern economics, politics, the law, the student revolution of the sixties, linguistics, the behavior of professors, domestic life, and other villainies. The author, a "mathematician with a penchant for prose," has included almost every subject except mathematics in this volume. Some of these pieces have been published before, but much of the book is new, and while the subject matter varies, the theme is constant: "How rarely Reason guides the stubborn Choice, Rules the bold Hand or prompts the suppliant Voice." This observation of Samuel Johnson is illustrated in every part of the book, but by methods as varied as the subject matter. Sometimes it is warm humor, as in The Detroit Answer andNoblesse Oblige; sometimes biting satire or parody, as in The Triumph of Socialism and Prize-Day Ceremony. Neither conscience, religion, public education, or the university escapes attack here, whether by straightforward journalistic account (Letter From San Francisco, January 1,1969) or by introspective analysis (Opium of the People). And while the book ends with a pessimistic prognosis for our civilization, there is enough optimism, wit and good humor throughout to make you wonder whether the author really believes it. Vested Interests is a book to be read once and then not put aside: for every day's experience in the workaday world, or the world of journalism, art, or scholarship, will remind the reader of something he has read here. Ralph A. Raimi is Professor of Mathematics and Chairman of the Department of Sociology at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. Born in Detroit in 1924, he attended Detroit schools, Wayne (now Wayne State) University, and the University of Michigan, from which he received degrees of B.S. in physics and Ph.D. in mathematics. He was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, served in the Philli-pine Islands, and has lived in Paris, France (1949-1950) and Cambridge, England (1961-62). He has been married since 1947 to Sonya (Drews) Raimi, an actress, and has two daughters: Jessica, a photographer and journalist, and Diana, a lawyer. 9780960937004 ISBN 0960937005.…
Seller Inventory # 84199
Bibliographic details
- Title
- Vested interests: essays and fantasies.
- Author
- Raimi, Ralph A., 1924-
- Publisher
- Rochester, N.Y.: The author, 1982
- Dust jacket
- Dust Jacket Included
- Binding
- Hardcover
Steven Wolfe Books
Newton Centre, MA, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since May 24, 2001
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 6 to 21 business days | 4 to 7 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | US$ 4.99 | US$ 9.45 |
Payment methods
Specialty
Specializing in German books and german-language cd-roms, French books in philosophy and history, and English-language scholarly books (especially in philosophy, political theory, and history).Seller's business information
Steven Wolfe Books
MA, U.S.A.
Terms of sale
US customers: add more books to your package, at only $1 additional shipping per volume with media mail - It is not possible to provide additional book photos. - Please be sure to read my full, detailed descriptions before ordering: markings, underlining, highlighting and other defects are noted in my descriptions to the extent humanly possible. Every book is examined carefully. If you must place an "inquiry" please use it to communicate thoroughly your needs and concerns in a few informative sentences: tell me what you need in a book, so I can understand you as a reader, collector, someone buying a gift, etc. Then I can respond effectively.
Shipping terms
US customers: add more books to your package, at only $1 additional shipping per volume with media mail
INQUIRIES, TRACKING, PACKING: If you are a collector or have specialized concerns please explain them in detail in any inquiry using the format: "I would like to purchase this book if it meets these following criteria" and be sure that the question is not already answered by my description. It is not possible to provide additional book photos. - PACKING YOUR BOOK: all of my books are packaged to survive the journey to you safely. Tracking numbers are sent via my mailing software and/or via the abebooks system: you can follow them and even sign up with the post for a notification of the progress of your package. Thanks to all of my customers for your support over the years, and happy reading to all.
PAYMENT: paying by credit card via the abebooks system is the most convenient solution. Due to EU tax requirements I am able to accept payment in EUR to my German bank account only in rare circumstances. Customers from Brazil must be prepared to email me their CFP tax number before any order can be processed.
HOW TO SEARCH MY ABEBOOKS INVENTORY: using the advanced boolean search in abebooks can lead you to some great discoveries in my collection of scholarly books, literature, and just fun reading: but it's confusing, it's not intuitive, it's not obvious. Ask me for a special search link and guide to advanced search. You will enjoy the process and save a lot of money by ordering more than one book at a time (unfortunately, this shipping advantage only applies to customers in the US).
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: I apologize to my customers around the world for the high shipping costs which are beyond my control. Depending on the size and weight it is sometimes possible to mail two books in one priority mail envelope. If you wish to order more than one book for international shipping, feel free to inquire BEFORE YOU ORDER and I will explain the factors to consider. All packages are sent by airmail. There is no other option.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING OF LARGE NUMBERS OF BOOKS: it is often possible to ship heavier boxes of many books, 7kg to 15kg at lower cost per item and faster via UPS. Please inquire BEFORE you place an order, as this is a complicated procedure involving tax and customs fees.