Of late, I've been indulging my interest in books, particularly crime/Detective fiction. Now, something I've always done is check the publication date of the books I'm reading to gain some historical context (I even did this as a small child reading Hardy Boys books from the 1930's). It find that t useful to understand what the events of the time were, not to mention the effects of technology.

I've always assumed that this was something everyone does, but I realize that may not be the case. So I'm wondering if everyone does this, or if I'm the odd one out. 

Views: 67

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I usually do it.  I often do it, before I buy a book.

I think my first exercises in placing books in historical context happened in roughly my junior high school years, notably with Tarzan and James Bond novels. It's Superman! by Tom Dehaven (2005) is particularly fun in that respect. Comic strips are perhaps even more accurate mirrors of the time. For me, Dick Tracy served as a window into the '40s and '50s. other strips did as well, but it was Dick Tracy in particular for me. Another more recent example (reprint-wise, 2005-2019) is Drawn & Quarterly's eight volume set reprinting Gasoline Alley from 1918-1934. (I believe the set was originally intended to reprint through 1938, but it seems to have stalled.)

I do it compulsively. I don't know when I started to. As a kid I avidly read Golden Age SF without realising how old it was. 

With some books publication dates are misleading because the material appeared in magazines first, or in some other edition first. I've encountered Max Brand Westerns with modern publication dates and no explanation of the contents' backgrounds. It's my guess the novels are from magazines. Sometimes the authors themselves reworked older work or incorporated it into a fix-up novel, put together from short stories. An example is A. E. Van Vogt's The Voyage of the Space Beagle.

I always check publication dates. It seems like a necessity if you want to have some understanding of the writer's perspective.

In the last year or so I have read a few of Erle Stanley Gardner's Perry Mason books most of which were written pre-1960. I always find it amusing when automobiles come into play with references to clutches, starters and running boards.

Reply to Discussion

RSS

Groups

Latest Activity

Jeff of Earth-J replied to Captain Comics's discussion Comics Guide: April 3-9, 2023
""BTW, I never understood the original title: It Rhymes with Lust... Somebody clue me in…"
1 hour ago
The Baron replied to Captain Comics's discussion Comics Guide: April 3-9, 2023
"I remember the to-do about the Fischer/Spassky match back in dinosaur times.  I can't…"
4 hours ago
Captain Comics posted a discussion

Comics Guide: April 3-9, 2023

DARK HORSE COMICSHAIRBALL #1 (OF 4)…See More
4 hours ago
Irma Kruhl replied to Steve W's discussion A Cover a Day
"I have a couple of other detective/private eye covers in my queue, but since it is time to…"
5 hours ago
Philip Portelli replied to Steve W's discussion A Cover a Day
"The Falcon must solve a murder, helped only by Redwing! "
5 hours ago
Richard Willis replied to Steve W's discussion A Cover a Day
"Here's my last one"
5 hours ago
Jeff of Earth-J replied to Steve W's discussion A Cover a Day
"Here's a crossover cover. Whereas Jon Sable is by no means a "detective" by any…"
6 hours ago
Captain Comics replied to Captain Comics's discussion Bond #6: 'Dr. No'
"The 007 Magazine article didn't make any mention of the femme fatale angle, Luke --…"
7 hours ago
Steve W replied to Steve W's discussion A Cover a Day
"Last from me this month. Back tomorrow with a selection of birds and winged creatures..."
8 hours ago
Dave Palmer replied to Steve W's discussion A Cover a Day
"Some detectives I don’t think we’ve seen yet"
9 hours ago
Jeff of Earth-J replied to Steve W's discussion A Cover a Day
""I always thought Rick Fletcher was the best of the post-Gould Dick Tracy…"
10 hours ago
Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod) replied to Jeff of Earth-J's discussion Dark Shadows
"And now up through episode 752. Quentin has turned into a werewolf and killed a teacher at…"
10 hours ago

© 2023   Captain Comics, board content ©2013 Andrew Smith   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service