What a pleasant surprise in today’s mail. It’s the fifth of my books to be translated into an Asian language.

My intern just put this 1975 book in the “Gender Studies” category. Actually, though, Walker Percy just meant “odd” with his use of “queer.”

I’m rearranging my “Books by Friends” category and have decided that Judge Posner is definitely in. We had our tussle in The New Republic in 2012, but our last interaction was quite genial. And in 2005 and 2006 he signed books to me “with affection.” He’s a friend.

Happy birthday!

The common misuse of PERUSE is certainly there! Page 822 of Garner’s Modern English Usage (upper left here). Cheers.

What a wonderful transformation we’ve seen since the 1940s. Today such a depiction would show women as about half the group, and a substantial number of minorities. All such scenes as this are hopelessly dated.

Thought for the day—from Leon Green writing in 1941.

Confucius in 5th century BCE. Still relevant?

Opening paragraph of a 1919 book on the presidency.

It was 114 years ago yesterday that my grandfather, Meade F. Griffin, received this book as a Christmas present. He was 16. He went on to a distinguished career as a lawyer and judge. He died a few months before my 16th. I treasure the books bearing his ownership signature. #books #bibliophily

My GMEU entry on the name Santa Claus and its history. Merry Christmas.