Comments

Tom, thanks for the photos! I led with the Duomo, since that corner is about my favorite spot in Florence. The pictures remind me that I have to get back to Europe. I miss it (and the people there)!

Posted by cathy mosca at January 22, 2010 11:08 AM

Tom, what a shame you are ghetto'd in a small recording studio to record the audio book. I would have much preferred a less-sanitised recording myself; Tom 'out and about' reading the book: from a cafe in Firenze', an airport lounge, a hotel room, a walk in the park.

Perhaps you can persuade your publishers to escape the studio..?!

Posted by Ian Sanders at January 22, 2010 3:40 PM

"Out and about" reading. Great idea Ian.

You can't pursue luck in a 6ft x 6ft room.

Posted by Jason Bresnehan at January 22, 2010 11:53 PM

Amen, Ian. But, alas, "they" are fanatics about perfect sound quality.

Ever listened to Glenn Gould piano recording? My fav part is when "they" allow you to hear him humming lightly as he plays!

Posted by tom peters at January 23, 2010 6:46 AM

Thanks Tom.
I like the sound of the Glenn Gould piece, I'll check it out. It's like when you go to a gig and the band's performance is less technically proficient than the studio album, but there's something about that rawness that makes it more compelling.
Good luck with the recording and I look forward to hearing the fruits of your labour.

Posted by Ian Sanders at January 23, 2010 11:22 AM

Just finished Gary Vaynerchuk's "Crush It" audiobook and interestingly, he went off script a few times to amplify changes from when the book went to press and also to emphasize something that he though was important. PLUS, he is very spontaneous.

So, Tom, it made it an interesting listen and also a value-add beyond the printed book.

My suggestion, have a little fun with the read and mix it up a bit!

Posted by RandySpangler at January 24, 2010 12:37 PM

I did adlib the content a bit.

Posted by tom peters at January 25, 2010 9:21 AM

Hi Tom, this is a bit off topic, but when I read it I knew I had to send it to you. A little known tidbit of naval history intended to make you smile ...

The U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides), as a combat vessel, carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to last six months of sustained operations at sea. She carried no evaporators (i.e. fresh water distillers).

However, let it be noted that according to her ship's log: "On July 27, 1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from Boston with a full complement of 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of fresh water, 7,400 cannon shot, 11,600 pounds of black powder and 79,400 gallons of rum."

Her mission: "To destroy and harass English shipping."

Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on 826 pounds of flour and 68,300 gallons of rum.

Then she headed for the Azores , arriving there 12 November. She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and 64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine.

On 18 November, she set sail for England . In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war and captured and scuttled 12 English merchant ships, salvaging only the rum aboard each.

By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Nevertheless, although unarmed she made a night raid up the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Her landing party captured a whisky distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons of single malt Scotch aboard by dawn. Then she headed home.

The U. S. S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February 1799, with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, no rum, no wine, no whisky, and 38,600 gallons of water.

GO NAVY

Posted by Noel Guinane at January 29, 2010 6:04 PM

You have reminded me of one of my favorite quotes: "Life is a series of collisions with the future

Posted by Anthony Chollett at February 13, 2010 6:03 AM