a letter to Messers Brym and Lie
2007-04-12 at 2:09 a.m.
Dear Mr. Brym and Mr. Lie,
I should like to offer my sincerest—albeit belated—congratulations on your getting published. I refer, of course, to your text, the third edition of "Sociology, Your Compass to a New World".
Indeed, it is marvelous to see how easy it must be for one to get published these days. As an aspiring academic and writer, I must say I am very heartened by this turn of events. However, I do confes to having a number of—shall we say, queries. with regards to the above mentioned text.
Firstly, I am rather confused about the title of your book. Perhaps I am mistaken—being but a lowly first year undergraduate it is perhaps to be expected that I have a less-than-stellar intellect, of course. However, "Your Compass to a New World" seems to suggest to me that the text within the covers that proclaim it to be such should indeed be a compass to a new world, and not just 21st century America. Unless, of course, my learned Sirs, you are of the school of thought subscribed to by many eminent Americans: that is, that America is the New World—or a New World Order, as so many of your famous presidents have claimed to want to set up.
Next, I have to admit some curiosity as to the identity of your editor. The edition of you text that I have, is, as mentioned above, a third edition. Hence, I was rather taken aback when I noticed a number of what seem to be printing errors in your text. OF course, it is entirely possible that I am mistaken. As a lowly undergraduate only in my first year, it is more likely to be the case that I have misunderstood your text that it is that you, my respected Sirs, have made errors.
A further point that I would like to make, dear Sirs, is that of the actual text book itself. I do not suppose it is likely that you both take the time out of your assuredly busy schedules to examine the final fruit of your concerted efforts—indeed, it would be prepostrous to expect such a thing. However, I do think that your publisher should be a little more experienced in matters of printing textbooks. The text, you see, is somewhat overly large, floppy and rather heavy and cumbersome. Perhaps in the fourth edition this could be rectified? I believe this, above all, would make your Compass a much more superior one.
I do sincerely hope that you are not offended by my humble queries and suggestions. They were made in the sincerest of spirits, and with utmost respect and reverence.
Your humble follower,
Hoe Yu Ying