The Long Awaited Amazon Kindle

For over two months now, I have been on a journey. It involves my first labor of love: the Book. The Book is sacred; it is the way we learn, laugh, cry, work and play. With it we dream, enter worlds never before possible, and, yes, even make a living. Printing and the Book have been good to me for over 30 business years.

Accordingly, you can imagine how I have followed the progress of the electronic book, especially during the last couple of years. Do I think electronics will replace the printed and bound Book? Emphatically, no.

In the trade market (retail/novels), the 3 B's will preclude the demise: the beach, bedroom, & bathroom. The readability in a variety of environments, feel, touch, and character of the book are an experience in themselves, and most of us read (especially novels) for the experience, even though we are learning at the same time.

Learning changes the game significantly in the educational arena. Here, other dynamics are working that will change outcomes - a fact all of us in the industry must face. Even so, what will probably happen is that the differnet ways we use and experience the Book will be increased, and although the use of electronic books will increase, the number of hardbound books may not. Perhaps the outcome will be more readily available knowledge for our world. Wouldn't that be something?

In late November, Jeff Bezos of Amazon released the Kindle which may very well change the way we have looked at the electronic offerings so far. (See Newsweek, 11/26) Heretofore Sony's "Reader" was considered the best of a still somewhat flawed offering. The Kindle, with such things as improved E Ink technology makes the "experience" of reading closer to the Book. It's battery life is 9 hours and is easily rechargeable. The format is friendly & easy on the eyes, and books can be downloaded (if digitized) for $9.99 each in less than a minute. It is pricey at $399 however, but that figures to come down as production technology catches up.

After Christmas, not getting a Kindle, I ordered one and promptly discovered they were on backorder. There's a negative; but they must be selling well! Patience, however persevered, and I was notified today that it has shipped. Now I will have the opportunity first hand to evaluate, share, and post the findings.

Stay Tuned!