do you read preface to a book?
By mimpi
@mimpi1911 (25464)
India
April 13, 2007 5:16am CST
i was reading THE GOD DELUSION by Richard Dawkins. it is a wonderful, thought provoking read for atheist, theist, deist and i have to go through each line more than once and each time my apprehension doubles. when i started off, i was bit hesitant and didnot go through the preface which covers quite a few pages. but as i finished chapter 1, i thought it would be an injustice to my psyche if i miss the preface. i started readig the preface and trust me, it gave me a deeper insight into the book.
i usually miss the preface (it is but a deliberate ploy)whenever it would exceed a few pages. but this book made me realise, how important and gripping it could be.
i was just wondering about other ppl, do you guys read the preface of a book or staightaway start chapter1? what is your way of reading a book?
happy reading from mimpi.
3 people like this
8 responses
@vwlssknght (653)
• United States
13 Apr 07
That's a good question! As a rule, I don't. But . . . if I find myself really enjoying the book, then I want to know every little bit I can about the story and/or author, so I will, mid-book, go back and read the preface. There have been many books, however, that just haven't done anything for me whose prefaces went unread.
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
13 Apr 07
I also believe in reading the preface of the book. It gives me a better idea and summary of the contents of the book. Sometimes the preface of the book can be very interesting and it creates your interest in reading the book.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
19 Apr 07
couldn't agree more with you. ideally, that is what prefaces are meant for. however, deepak, i kind of skip going through long, elaborate ones. i just can't wait to start chapter 1. LOL
sometimes, i cover up by reading it at the end or in between (when refences are cited).
thanx.
@Denmarkguy (1845)
• United States
21 Apr 07
For the most part, I tend to read the preface and the introduction (if there is one), especially if it's a book about some topic I am really interested in. After all, there's probably a good REASON why the author included it-- so it seems only fair that I should try to get all the "meaning" out of the book.
That's an interesting book you are reading-- I have not read it, but I have heard some interesting feedback about it.
1 person likes this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
25 Apr 07
i really appreciate, thanx for sharing.
yes, it's indeed a gripping read. it's only confirming my belief and giving reasons to the unanswered stuff. i recommend it highly.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Apr 07
If it is a book I bought with my own money, then yes. LOL :P
If it is a borrowed book, I would most probably skip. The exception is if I am highly interest in the content or author.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
19 Apr 07
good for you. by the way, do you buy books for yourself or wait for others to buy for you?
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
19 Apr 07
I do get books as gifts occasionally... but why would others buy for me?
Of course I buy the books myself. *roll eyes*
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
19 Apr 07
oh really! i hardly buy books for myself, it's a rather expensive affair for me. my mom is a sweet heart, she buys books for me, always.
lucky me!!
@sadhanasharma (46)
• Nepal
13 Apr 07
I always read preface to the books. I think the preface indicates whether the bookis interesting or not.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
19 Apr 07
i really appreciate. that's the way it should be. but i must confess that i am bit lazy with it.
thanx for sharing.
@lilyoungfella (1196)
• Philippines
21 Apr 07
I don't usually read prefaces. But when my teacher once told us that we should be able to learn to read prefaces of book, i started to read it already.
1 person likes this
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
21 Apr 07
I always try to read the preface to books. However if it's a boring preface or if it's a preface critiquing the work and it has spoilers that I don't read it.
1 person likes this
@unusualsuspect (2602)
• United States
13 Apr 07
I usually read the preface because it can tell me something about the book that may not be in the main text. The preface is where the author may discuss why they wrote the book, which is often interesting, and how they went about it. Introductions, though, I usually either skip or read after I've finished the book. An introduction is generally by someone other than the author and tends to be an interpretation. I want to form my own understanding and interpretation, so reading the intro later is more interesting because I can compare my interpretation.
1 person likes this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
19 Apr 07
I really appreciate, you seem to be a darling of the authors. Ideally, that’s the way it should be. Your input regarding interpretation of ‘introduction’ is really valuable. however, I read through it , before actually starting off with the book. But, from now on I must try your way out, it sounds interesting and would give better insight into the read.
thank you for sharing.
