leonardcohenforum.com

But are the dice loaded?

Yes ~ G~d is generous with Leonard and his blessings abound.

I ordered it and whatever will be will be.

At the very least, I will have a first edition copy

Dem

That's good to hear, Demetris . That's what I thought, too... at least one of the initial ones off the press. Here's hoping...

~ Elizabeth

It's very kind of Leonard to make an extra effort to satisfy his fans, providing them with something personal and financially as well as spiritually valuable. Signing 1500 copies is a gruesome and obnoxious chore, harder than cleaning toilets in the monastery. He is to be commended. Dylan would probably never have done something like that, considering it beneath him.
If this is the way to sell books, other authors should take note.

You're absolutely right, Lightning. Leonard is to be commended for this loving touch. Some will exploit it, whilst others will simply take it to heart with gratitude. Leonard is aware that both will happen, yet he's still willing.

~ Lizzy

I can picture the look on Dylan's face if asked to sign his name 1500 times...something like 'you're kidding me right' or 'you cannot be serious' (with apologies to another master poet and philosopher John McEnroe)

LC is a little more polished outwardly than the above greats plus the financial motivation at this point of time...so he'll just grin and bear it.

I wonder though are they gonna ship 1500 copies to his home in LA or will he stay up all night in his hotel room in Toronto for this feat of endurance and magnanimity (not to mention stupidity)

(not to mention stupidity)

Please elaborate with your ideas on this Parthian shot. Magnanimity is one thing. Stupidity is wholly another. I don't equate what Leonard's doing with stupidity, at all... and, of course, you already know the answer to the hotel 'question' so that's two shots ~ and, since these are for Internet pre-orders, his Toronto engagement is irrelevant.

As I recall, there are other, signed copies of Leonard's books out there... not addressed to anyone in particular. So, it's very possible this is something he's done in the past, as well... simply as a gesture, unrelated to financial motivation, at least not his. Interesting your qualifier on his being polished . Inwardly and outwardly, he's both.

Thanks.

I can't help but wonder how a few of us women might be perceived if we frequented the Kate McGarrigle, Souad M., and Martha Wainwright sites often enough to make similar remarks and pose similar questions, as a few of the guys here do... the words "catty" and "jealous" come to mind and refuse to leave. I can't help but wonder if these same guys offer the same kind of commentary on those or other sites. Yes, I know, this is all a matter of one's imagination .

~ Lizzy

Parthian shot.. I like that! I think I'll adopt that phrase.


p.s. There is a sense of both the contemporary and the timeless in that phrase.

You still have time to actually answer the implied question, as well as to catch up with my addition.

p.s. There is a sense of both the contemporary and the timeless in that phrase.

True. It's also an established phrase, so you can use it well with confidence.

This is an e-mail to those on Marie Mazur's mailing list [the red highlighting is by me]:

Dear Friends,

Recently folks on the mailing list for Chapters books in Canada received private notice that the first 1000 people to pre-order the Book of Longing would receive a copy signed by Leonard. It is believed that these 1000 books were grabbed up fairly quickly. However, last night the number of copies that would be signed was raised to 1500. It is believed that there are still copies available now. The link to the book can be found at:

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/ite ... dm1.186191

If you order the book, you should receive notice within 24 hours about whether you have qualified to be one of the first 1500. Since this was a private offer to those on Chapters' email list, there is no mention of it on their website. However, you will see mention of an event on May 13 in Toronto. It is expected that Leonard will attend this event and it will be open to the public. However, books WILL NOT be signed at this event. I will provide more information about this event as soon as we have it.

Take care,
Marie
Speaking Cohen - A Tribute to Leonard Cohen and His Words
http://members.aol.com/megan2c2b/
or
http://www.webheights.net/speakingcohen/main.htm
and
The Leonard Cohen Concordance
http://www.webheights.net/cohenconcordance/index.htm

Visit Anjani's site and read the latest news as we approach the
release of Blue Alert (Release: May 2 Canada; May 23 US)
http://www.anjani-music.com

Information on DEAR HEATHER, Leonard's latest studio album:
http://www.dearheather.com

Visit the Leonard Cohen Webring:
http://p.webring.com/hub?ring=lcring

What's a Parthian shot? Is that something Greek?

Hi Lightning ~

From Anu Garg's Wordsmith:

Parthian shot (PAR-thee-uhn shot) noun

A hostile remark made in departing.

[After the natives of Parthia, an ancient country in southwest Asia.]

Parthians were expert archers. Their specialty was firing arrows while in (or pretending to be in) retreat which disrupted the enemy forces. The more descriptive term "parting shot" is a synonym.

-Anu Garg (gargATwordsmith.org)

It does evoke the Parthenon, though, doesn't it.

~ Lizzy

from wikipedia

The Parthian shot was a tactic employed by ancient Persian horse archers. The horsemen would feign retreat at full gallop, then suddenly turn their bodies around and fire an arrow at the pursuing enemy.

This tactic was successfully used by the Parthians and other Iranian civilizations utilizing cavalry extensively to disrupt, harass, maim, and kill enemy forces, especially infantry.

A notable battle where this tactic was employed was the Battle of Carrhae.

Today the term "parting shot" has its origins in this tactic.

You learn something new each day...here's a Parthian shot

Thank you all for the information.