1900-1998 Lists
My first semi-substantive post, hopefully I don't screw this up too badly. Anyway, this is a listing of Publisher's Weekly's bestselling book going back to 1900. It's pretty interesting to see how much tastes have and haven't changed. I'm afraid the oldest book on the lists I've actually read is Main Street by Sinclair Lewis (1921, #1), though the nonfiction list doesn't go all the way back to 1900.
Even as to more recent authors, it's interesting to see how careers have progressed and how much success people have, and haven't, had. To use a personal favorite as an example, take Frederick Forsyth. The Day of the Jackal was No. 4 in 1971 and 1972, The Odessa File, probably my personal favorite, No. 3 in 1972 and No. 4 in 1973, The Dogs of War No. 6 in 1974, The Devil's Alternative No. 8 in 1980, and The Fourth Protocal coming in at No. 7 in 1984. Add in The Fist of God, which I highly enjoyed, and his older collection of short stories, No Comebacks, and what sort of career does that make? Is he the new Joseph Conrad, someone esteemed by some, but, as some critics said when 4 of Conrad's novels made the Modern Library 100 Best Books list, someone with some talents but ultimately a writer of boy's tales? Or will enjoying a measure of popular success be his undoing? Well, time will tell.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Blog Archive
-
▼
2004
(473)
-
▼
February
(75)
- Book review
- 3000 Hits
- "Massachusetts Supreme Court Orders All Citizens t...
- Jack Ryan for Senator (?)
- Enforcement problems?
- Deference
- Milton Friedman: My Hero
- The Great Airport Outlet Search
- "Please Ralph, Not This Year"
- One view of the Constitution
- Welcome Perverts!
- Chess
- My take on Adbusters
- "Links To This Post" Feature
- GWB barbs back
- Posner's Spawn
- Globalization and rising standards of living
- I have returned.
- Blunt and Influential, Kerry's Wife Is an X Factor
- Places I've Been
- Japanese Law Schools
- Internet Cell Phone Access UPDATE
- U.S. Students Still Getting the Paddle
- Democrats United in Asking That Nader Not Enter Race
- Election Law Robs TV Soap of Biggest Star
- Bill Pryor Recess Appointment
- Private Bush Meeting Gets Blogged
- Internet Cell Phone Access
- In Japan, A Wireless Vision of Future for U.S.
- 13.5.1 Strikes Back!
- Bedtime Reading
- Pomona Controversy Over Photograph Hunt
- Dean To End His Campaign
- Thinking About Class Actions Differently
- Triumph strikes Canada!
- "Whites only scholarship"
- College Football and the Law
- Bestsellers of the 20th Century
- Is limited liability necessary?
- Amazon Glitch Unmasks War of Reviewers
- Greece Struggles to Reach Olympics' Finish Line
- Bay Street?
- Kerry Concerns
- The Guest
- Peanut Butter Squares...
- Fischel tells Kerkorian to "shut up"
- A host with a lisp.
- College-Sponsored Student Sex Magazines
- Wesley Clark Drops Out of the Race
- Announcing A Guest Blogger
- Wonder of wonders!
- A Sign that Clark Will Not Be The Nominee
- Excellent O'Connor editorial
- Another Reader Challenge: Most Extensive Education
- Separated at birth?
- Kerry's Special Friends, by David Brooks
- Homosexual animals...
- Hyperlink Technology
- Interesting Artifact
- Woman Charged with Lying About Gang Rape
- PBS Fans - Prepare your TiVos
- "Ironical"?
- "Mr Class Action"
- Practice LSAT
- The Kennewick Man's Not-So-Speedy Trial
- The best part of antitrust
- Two arrested in robbery spree
- Gays Have Full Marriage Rights, Massachusetts Cour...
- 20 (fake) Questions
- A Super Tuesday . . . for Some
- Great Star Trek: TNG Scene
- As Ben said . . .
- TiVo tracking....
- Blogging the Super Bowl
- U of C Economist Wins Clark Medal
-
▼
February
(75)
No comments:
Post a Comment