Hey now! Just got my first look at the paperback version of The Optimist. It’s exciting to see the book in a new streamlined way—it went on a diet! This version is less formal than the hardcover—a corduroy jacket instead of a proper suit, as it were. It goes on sale on May 10th but you can pre-order now. I like the idea of a book, especially this book, being able to fit in a pocket and taken out into the world, getting beaten up and even left in a lodge and (hopefully) passed on. That also means if you still want the hardcover you should track one down because The Optimist will exist in paperback going forward.
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Just some other housekeeping: The last newsletter on what every man should own was the most widely-read story I’ve ever sent out. That tells me I should be doing more of those. So I’ll try to do some variation of that type of list every month or two.
For those who are new to the proceedings: Welcome. I send out a newsletter every week as well as a Central Division podcast, with my good friend Michael Williams (of ACL fame). You can access the entire archive and read any story (there are many) or listen to any podcast (again: many) from the history of this site. Also, whenever I send an announcement about a book or a collaboration (like this one) I’ll still send a newsletter that week, so you’re getting all the content. If you haven’t gotten the new Substack app it’s quite good. It collects all your newsletters in one place and is intuitive and well-designed, if you like to read on your phone.
I’ll be writing stories in the next few months on eBay tactics, fishing (in Belize and England), some travel stories from Italy, answering your questions and considering other vital issues of the day, like linen suits, suede shoes in summer and the importance of white bucks.
It’s good to have you here.
Salut!
David
I’m new around here and very grateful for that list. I’m hoping to gently persuade my husband and sons (young men) to dress better and that’s a great start.
For what it's worth, I was finally inspired to become a paying subscriber after reading the truncated version of your last post in my inbox, so here's another vote for more content like that! I'm really enjoying your book, by the way.