Jona's new book added to Showcase

[nick]

Hi Companions -The synopsis of Jona's new book (publication date October 2004) was added to the pothos.org Showcase.Please check:http://www.pothos.org/alexander.asp?paraID=68Regards -Nick

[marcus]

Great!Now, is there going to be an English version of the book? ... my Dutch isn't up to reading a Dutch version (or anything else, for that matter)!All the bestMarcus

[jona]

I am afraid that there will not be an English version because, the Oliver Stone movie being released in November, several authors with a greater name than mine will publish their books (e.g., Peter Tsouras, Paul Cartledge, and I expect a reprint from Lane Fox's book). The Anglo-Saxon market is simply shut down for expensive translations.In general, it is hard to get a book translated into English. Two years ago, I published a book on ancient Rome which received much praise; several publishing houses were interested, but eventually, it came to nothing. (I am not to be pitied: it will be published in French.)Foreigners have a linguistic handicap, and unfortunately, this problem is not theirs alone. Books written by non-English writers are ignored when there is a book just vaguely similar to it in English. This does not improve the quality of debate; we are doomed find out things again.Two examples may suffice: (1) Between the publication of Briant's now well-known book on ancient Persia and the translation, almost seven years passed. I read several articles on ancient Persia, written by English scholars, which were, in my view, already outdated before they appeared.(2) There is a very good a German study on Alexander's treatment of the opposition by Sabine M++ller, *Massnahemn der Herrschaftssicherung gegen++ber der makedonische Opposition bei Alexander dem Grossen* (2003; 3-631-51224-4; Peter Lang GmbH). I dare to predict that it will not be translated, and that many future discussions of, for example, the Cleitus affair, will be entirely unnecessary.Even worse, bilingual Anglo-Saxon scholars can easily make a career by presenting "German ideas" as their own. Maybe I am paranoid, but I can not deny that this is a feeling I have always had when I was reading the books of Moses Finley.In my view, there is a serious problem over here. But perhaps it can be solved. As far as I am concerned, I have written down several ideas and observations, and sent them to Frank Holt and Brian Bosworth, who both granted me some of their expensive time. If they think my interpretations are worth anything - well, they will have ways to use them in footnotes.Besides, the internet, with websites like pothos.org, is a fine bulletin board. Let's hope that the international scholarship will one day lose its haughty attitude towards this medium.Jona

[nick]

Once I get fired from work (this might happen in a month or so) I will translate Jona's book and publish it using my private savings account.:-)No kidding: if Jona agrees, I might use the summer holiday translating two or three pages and pre-publish them in the Showcase... (But only if Jona agrees, of course.) Jona has sent me his Dutch manuscript as a 5MB Word-file (for which I am extremely grateful). I'll keep you informed.Regards -Nick

[jona]

Hi NickThat's a nice offer, and it's gladly accepted - provided that you think the book is worth the effort... We'll talk about this later.Jona

[amyntoros]

Jona, I'm embarrassed that I cannot speak or read another language - I can't count the number of times I've looked for particular information that can only be found in a German publication. Now you have me wishing I knew Dutch! I do hope that Nick will find the time to translate an excerpt from your book here. :-)I certainly understand how the Anglo-Saxon market may be shut down for new books on Alexander - I now have a list of 15 books on him which will be published between July 1 and January 15, not including the Cartledge and Tsouras' books. (Only a couple of them are novels.) Linda Ann