Books of Interest #3: How Much Do You Know? A Book of Fascinating Questions and Answers On Every Subject edited by Harold Wheeler, Hon. D.Litt., F.R.Hist.S.

Don't know the vintage of this mini-encyclopaedia/collection of general knowledge. Though of it's time and since outdated or proven wrong on certain subjects there isn't really much to distinguish this book from the dozens of similar titles. That is until you reach the bottom of page 215...

Posted without comment.

Books of Interest #2: For Men With Yen by Alan Rodenberg & W. J. O'Neill

The cover artwork, inside flaps and a selection of my favourite illustrations from this aimed squarely it seems at men on business trips this 1960's guide to navigating Japan's labyrinthian, and it seems expensive and not so rewarding for the customer, hostess system.

Found in the much missed Hazel Grove branch of Oxfam (R.I.P.) around 10 years ago. I often wonder why interesting books like this never turn up in charity shops these days. 

Books of Interest #1: Bang Out of Order by Simon Morris

Unattributed but almost definitely the work of Simon Morris of the brilliant Ceramic Hobs this 24 page booklet is a document of the early 1980's Power Electronics scene and contains both a hilarious and shocking account of the rise and fall of fictional power electronics band Hitler Rally as well as a potted history of all the scenes major players (and many not so major players) with the odd bit of actual power electronics ephemera thrown in for good measure.

Having not lived through this period and having only a very limited knowledge of the music, this booklet almost makes me wish I had and certainly makes me long for the pre-Paypal, pre-Myspace (remember them?), pre-blog, pre-Sound Cloud days of D-90s and the actual writing and posting of letters and cheques rather than all this "add to basket" bollocks.

Disclaimer 1: Contains (not that kind of) adult content. Reader discretion advised.

Disclaimer 2: Pages 2 and 23 are missing from the zip as they are blank blue cardboard.

Download ZIP file from Archive.org.

Space Oddity: A Banned Imaginary Children's Book

Imaginary children's book designed by Andrew Kolb (www.kolbisneat.com) based on the David Bowie song.

Unfortunately he was struck with a cease and desist order by the song's publishers so it's no longer on his website.

Animated video version at bottom of page.

Space Oddity from Andrew Ruttan on Vimeo.