Jules Verne Forum

<jvf@Gilead.org.il>

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 1996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011

Answer to My NOOK Inquiry re: Jules Verne Titles

From: Raymond Macon <maconr~at~speakeasy.net>
Date: Mon, 23 May 2011 09:47:43 -0600
To: "Jules Verne Forum" <jvf~at~gilead.org.il>

Hello All,

 

Forum member Rick Walter suggested that I contact Barnes & Noble booksellers
about making better translations of Jules Verne's works available in digital
format and thus capable of purchase and download to their NOOK platform. I
did so over the weekend and this is the reply I received on Monday morning.

 

Raymond

Dear Raymond Macon,


Thank you for writing to us about our NOOK Book selections.

We know that NOOK Book enthusiasts are eager to see more and more titles
in digital form, and we're adding them on a daily basis -- so if you
don't see a title you're interested in, please check back often.

Also, we invite you to click on the link "Tell the Publisher You Want
this In NOOK Book Format" under the title you would like to see in
digital format to notify the publisher instantly.

Ultimately, it's the publisher's call whether to offer a title in
digital format. Sometimes, publishers decide not to offer an digital
version, even if (or especially if) a book is popular in print. For this
reason, some very popular books and series are not yet available. But we
are committed to bringing you the best selection of NOOK Books anywhere.

We hope you find this information helpful and invite you to visit us
often at www.bn.com to see our latest selections.

Sincerely,

Chris
Customer Service Representative - Digital Support
Barnes & Noble
http://www.bn.com/
Visit our NOOK Support site for the latest updates and downloads at:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/support/





Original Message Follows:
------------------------
Hello, I have recently obtained a pre-owned NOOK and I absolutely love
it. I have been purchasing and downloading many of my favorite titles.
Among them are the works of Jules Verne and that raises the question I
wish to discuss. The Verne titles that are available are, for the most
part, poor translations of this great writer's work. Some are public
domain translations that are very bad. Others contain symbols and
typographical errors that are annoying. While still others are
abridgements of the original work. Barnes and Noble takes great pride
in offering Jules Verne's works in this new e-book format. The company
is right to do so. However, with the availability of so many
contemporary translations that are infinitely superior to the jaded ones
previously available to American readers, there is no reason not to
offer the very best of this brilliant writer. I am a member of the
Jules Verne Forum and I brought this topic up to its members for their
recommendations. One of them, Frederick Walter of Albuquerque, New
Mexico, offered these suggestions. I hope that B&N will seriously
consider this. In light of the fact that your rival Amazon.com does
offer these translations for its Kindle e-Reader, I would think and hope
that B&N will gladly follow suit. Mr. Walter's recommendations are as
follows:

These items titles that I listed initially:


* The Oxford World Classics texts, translated by William Butcher and
based on his pioneering research into Verne's manuscripts.

* The University of Nebraska offerings in their Bison Frontiers of
Imagination series -- annotated modern texts based on Verne's unedited
originals.

* State University of New York's popular omnibus "Amazing Journeys: Five
Visionary Classics" -- which I busted my butt over and generally feel
good about.

* The Castle in Transylvania -- Charlotte Mandell, translator. A
brand-new text you'll probably enjoy.

* Journey Through the Impossible -- Edward Baxter, translator. A modern
text of a Verne theatrical collaboration.

* The Bantam Classics editions of 20,000 Leagues & From the Earth to the
Moon -- readable, mostly complete modern texts.


Unfortunately none of the Wesleyan UP editions are available in an
electronic format. Presumably this will change. They're just getting
started w/ ebooks.



Please carefully consider this request, and I hope that B&N will act on
it as soon as possible. Jules Verne's many fans and readers will thank
you for it.


Sincerely,
Raymond Macon
Received on Mon 23 May 2011 - 19:12:54 IDT

JV.Gilead.org.il
Copyright © Zvi Har’El
$Date: 2011/05/23 17:00:04 $$