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David George Moore's avatar

A must for reading and a delight.

Three quick examples:

I read and discussed Fleming Rutledge's book, Crucifixion, with a friend. It is 612 pages long. For my first read, I made 557 marginal notes, anything from an exclamation point to a long comment. Another friend wanted to read and discuss it with me. I wasn't sure whether I would give it a serious reread, but I did. Another 345 marginal notes were made. 912 notes. It is now a treasure trove for edification, writing, and teaching.

When I taught at Wheaton, I headed over to the Wade collection. I saw C.S. Lewis's copy of Paradise Lost, which I love. The marginalia were meticulous, small, but legible. If a man who got a triple first at Oxford thought writing in books was a good idea, who am I to disagree?

Last, and strangest example. William F. Buckley had me over to his house for a wonderful lunch. It was just the two of us and his chef. He said I could roam around. I saw a fifty-year reunion book for Yale. In it, there were pictures of Bill's classmates and of course, him. I noticed that he made notes by some of the pictures to remind himself of various things about certain persons. I'm sure no one felt the need to put a note of explanation by him!

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Gregory L. Glover's avatar

Just not in someone else’s book or in a library or school copy! Even in my own books, if done poorly, it can limit my later experience of reading the book again. I almost need to buy another copy for a reread or to lend without embarrassment. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve purchased a “lending copy” of several books that sit side by side on my shelves.

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