Book - probably plenty to do with chess

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David Robertson

Book - probably plenty to do with chess

Post by David Robertson » Sat Oct 03, 2015 3:03 pm

There's a new book out, published on September 21, which may interest some - not least the S&B bloggers.

It's an academic work of ethnographic sociology called People and Pawns. You can read more about it from the
publishers

You may be alerted by the author's name, wondering if he's related to a famous chess player. Probably not though. But he does seem to be a credible scholar. The book was kindly reviewed this week in the Times Higher Education, alas not yet online. And of course I'm awaiting delivery. I'm not expecting path-breaking scholarship though: the review alighted on one of Nigel Short's more colourful (and unacceptable) comments, cited in the book as evidence that chess players are part-bonkers.

We'll see. I'll post again after I've skimmed through it

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Gerard Killoran
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Re: Book - probably plenty to do with chess

Post by Gerard Killoran » Sat Oct 03, 2015 3:27 pm

Edward Winter is not impressed, see note 9500

http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/winter134.html

Mick Norris
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Re: Book - probably plenty to do with chess

Post by Mick Norris » Sat Oct 03, 2015 3:45 pm

Winter asks an excellent question or two
How can anyone, let alone a Professor, be content to use the words ‘Quoted in’, followed by an unverified secondary source? Is that Professor Fine’s customary approach, or only when dealing with chess?
Any postings on here represent my personal views

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MJMcCready
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Re: Book - probably plenty to do with chess

Post by MJMcCready » Sat Oct 03, 2015 3:50 pm

Sloppy academia.

Comments on amazon are pretty damming.
Last edited by MJMcCready on Sat Oct 03, 2015 3:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

David Robertson

Re: Book - probably plenty to do with chess

Post by David Robertson » Sat Oct 03, 2015 3:51 pm

Thanks for that. Well-spotted. Confirms my 'reading-between-the-lines' suspicions. Very disappointing that U Chic Press should run with this apparent lack of quality. Less surprising, alas, that a US tenured Professor should pass this off as scholarship. Still, I'll report back in due course - if not with Winter's eye for the chess details, then with a stern eye turned to the rest.

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MJMcCready
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Re: Book - probably plenty to do with chess

Post by MJMcCready » Sat Oct 03, 2015 3:54 pm

There should be an explanation in the Introduction (if it has one) at least. It's worth remembering that academics are required to publish on a regular basis. It doesn't mean that what they produce is worth reading, its just a requirement of the job.

David Robertson

Re: Book - probably plenty to do with chess

Post by David Robertson » Sat Oct 03, 2015 4:13 pm

Yes, here and in the US, there's immense pressure on academics to publish - from both universities and publishers. Which means far too much sees the light of day, in books and journals, before authors are ready. Academics bear no great responsibility for deciding if something is "worth reading". But they bear an absolute obligation to ensure they meet proper standards of scholarship. Those who bear the title 'Professor', even in its diluted US form, have their feet held to the fire in defence of those standards. And commercial publishers, especially those trading on a university's global reputation for excellence, have no business undermining them.

(The reviews on Amazon weren't there when I bought it. A pity!)

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MJMcCready
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Re: Book - probably plenty to do with chess

Post by MJMcCready » Sat Oct 03, 2015 4:37 pm

Yes, and now in the uk you need to be published to even be offered a position unless you've been recruited internally via a scholarship.

Brian Towers
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Re: Book - probably plenty to do with chess

Post by Brian Towers » Sun Oct 04, 2015 11:47 am

David Robertson wrote:evidence that chess players are part-bonkers.
You mean that the jury is still out?
Ah, but I was so much older then. I'm younger than that now.

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JustinHorton
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Re: Book - probably plenty to do with chess

Post by JustinHorton » Mon Oct 05, 2015 10:45 am

This looks wacky if anybody fancies having a go at it
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

David Robertson

Re: Book - probably plenty to do with chess

Post by David Robertson » Mon Oct 05, 2015 11:52 am

JustinHorton wrote:This looks wacky if anybody fancies having a go at it
Right off the wall :shock: Brilliant. I'm a sucker for the wilder shores of lit crit. Bit pricey, mind. Both h/b and kindle retail at £55.00. But I've just bought it, new hardback, for £5.00. What could possibly go wrong? :?