Seven Pillars of Wisdom reading group anyone?

Like many I have enormously enjoyed reading SPoW. I recently had a discussion with Scholasticus regarding the 22 versus the 35 (FS Edition) where I argued that the 35 is not an abridgement but the final edited copy. Anyhoo, we will be going back and reading the two editions. If anyone would like to join in and discuss any aspect of the work we can set up a thread specifically for a SPoW reading group. I am of course open to suggestions on how this could look - this will be a first kick at a reading group as such for me.

Anyone interesting before I get going?

Tim

I didn't mark this as OT because FS publishes an edition that many of us own.

We could also just start a new group to make it easier. That way we can control trolls etc.

Count me in. Mind, I'll be reading Castle Hill Press' edition of the 1922 text. Won't get into the '35 edition, though after reading the '22, I might be convinced to buy the FS edition of the '35.

>5 scholasticus: same here with '22 edition and we will continue our abridgement conversation :)

> 3

In Soviet-Russia, trolls control you!

He said trollishly.

>7 JustinTChan: I have a 3 page essay I wrote all about trolls and soviets called "The Three American Billy Goats: What the Soviets really hid under the bridge" I can send you. Just pm me and send me $5 to cover my intellectual costs. Also, you will be happy to know all the references in my essay are quoted from the non partisan group: The Western Financial Groups For Free Thinking Institute. :)

>1 BINDINGSTHATLAST: "I argued that the 35 is not an abridgement but the final edited copy"

I believe you're mistaken.

From Castle Hill Press: The 1922 'Oxford' Seven Pillars was the source text from which Lawrence abridged the book for a fine-press volume issued to subscribers. After his death, the subscribers' abridgement was published in English and in numerous translations. Its success was so huge that, despite pleas from critics and historians, no one would risk printing the fuller version.

There was a link where Wilson discussed the history of SP but I can't find it right now.

I have read the 1922 SP and enjoyed it. Will take up the 1935 sometime.

>7 JustinTChan:

Don't forget New Albertastan in Canada, now!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/albertastan-comment-from-peter-mackay-mock...

Context: Alberta's considered the most conservative province in Canada, and just loooooooooooves its political dynasties, having been governed by precisely three conservative dynasties between 1921 and 2015. Alberta's also known as 'Fortress Tory' at the federal level: it's basically a miracle if anyone wins a seat from the federal Conservatives in Alberta (though it has happened)!

However, all of that's out the window as Alberta elected a left-leaning party earlier this week, ending the 44-year Progressive Conservative dynasty and massively changing the optics on the upcoming federal election this fall.

As a result, the Conservatives basically accused Alberta of going commie and social media's been having a field day with this. I hear there's even a T-shirt for sale informing everyone that the wearer is a proud citizen of New Albertastan, apparently.

>9 ironjaw: this is the point of debate, and it is a nuanced one. For instance, is on the road abridged? Or was it edited for content? I know the CHP consider it abridged, they are also the only ones selling the non - abridged copy I believe. This is exactly the sort of thing I am hoping to talk about on a dedicated thread.

Tim

P.S I know on the road is not the best example, but there are some publishing parallels.

>10 scholasticus: and just how many of those t-shirts did you buy, comrade? I now live in a more conservative province than you do and we don't wear socks 10 months of the year... I guess you better trade all that famed Alberta beef for tofu and sprouts.

>12 BINDINGSTHATLAST:

I don't do gimmicky t-shirts. Give me French cuff shirts any day of the week, thankyouverymuch. :)

>13 EclecticIndulgence:

That's quite nice, judging from the photos I saw online just now. Now I kinda want a copy....

I will join any reading group that purchases a copy of the original subscriber's edition:

http://www.peterharrington.co.uk/rare-books/catalogue_103/seven-pillars-of-wisdo...

And a good topic would be Orwell's contention that T.E. Lawrence was
the last (important) British right-wing intellectual (of Orwell's day). I'm paraphrasing from one of his essays.

And speaking (redux) of trolls, I was tempted to start a "Comparative Sexcellence of Folio Society customer service" topic to express my arousal at the thought of Folio's unparalleled customer service. But heavy is the head that wears the (troll) crown.