At the shop we encounter a wide range of book collectors—people with specialized and sometimes eccentric fields of interest, from esoteric wellness trends to pre-revolutionary Cuba. But how do these passions develop in the first place? In this episode, Ken draws on his own developing interest in Kenyan history to describe a self-reinforcing cycle: curiosity is sparked, reading follows, knowledge deepens, material accumulates, a collection takes shape—and, before you know it, you’re an East Africa guy. Join us for a look at how collectors are made, on this inquisitive and acquisitive new #brattlecast.
Brattlecast #103 - National Geographic
While our travel plans may be indefinitely postponed, a good issue of National Geographic can still take us on a vacation of the mind. The long-running magazine is known for its stunning photos, intricate maps, and absorbing reports from fascinating, far-flung locales. In this episode we’ll talk about its history, which issues are considered the most valuable, and even creative reuses for your old copies. While it’s not exactly scaling Annapurna, collecting National Geographic can be something of an adventure in itself.