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Book Details Title: Generally Speaking: All 33 columns, plus a few philatelic words from Keller Author: Lawrence Block Number of pages: Publisher: LB Productions (January 7, 2020) Language: English ISBN: 195193945X Rating: 5     9 reviews

Book Description For almost three years, novelist and short-story writer Lawrence Block’s monthly column, "Generally Speaking," was one of the most popular features in Linn’s Stamp News. A general collector of pre-1940 issues, Block had the entire world of stamps as his subject, and he turned in 33 columns before he decided it was time to stop. But Keller, the author’s fictional character, never lost his enthusiasm for philately. A wistful and introspective killer for hire, Keller rekindled a boyhood passion for stamps at the end of Hit Man, the first of a series of books about him. Like Block, Keller collects the whole world through philately’s first century. (How’s that for coincidence?) And the nature of his profession gives Keller more discretionary income than Block–and a lot more money to spend on stamps. Published here for the first time is the full run of columns from Linn’s, along with six selections from the Keller saga chosen for their philatelic perspective. Customers Review: As a long time stamp collector (and let me quickly add, you don’t have to be one to enjoy this book), I read Block’s original columns in Linn’s Stamp News a decade or so ago as they appeared. While I was happy to see the author’s writings gathered in one place for easy reference, I did not expect to enjoy them even more the second time around.As does the author, I also collect the first hundred years or so of worldwide stamps starting with the famous 1840 Penny Black of Great Britain. Consequently, Block’s columns mirror almost exactly my own experiences in returning to collecting as an adult, but articulated in the ways only available to a gifted writer.The columns/chapters seem to me to fall into three categories. One category comprises those columns that convey the appeal and some of the mechanics of the hobby, but presented more entertainingly than a “how to” manual. The second, much of the latter half of the book, looks at selected stamps from individual and related groups of countries through the lens of history, politics, geography, biology, etc. The third category is made up of some relevant excerpts from Block’s crime novels whose protagonist Keller happens also to be a stamp collector.I think there are four potential audiences for Generally Speaking. First, would be fans of Block’s fiction, specifically the Keller books. Second, obviously, are stamp collectors, but I would add that the book should appeal regardless of specialization. The third audience would be collectors in general who may recognize many parallels to their own interests and evolution as collectors. And finally, those with more general interests who are fortunate not to be afflicted with the collecting bug: for example, world travelers, bird watchers, anyone who reads modern history. You will find even familiar facts presented in a different way from typical treatments.One suggestion: I would read the book while displaying examples of the stamps being discussed in an Internet search engine. (The author volunteers that including color illustrations would have been financially prohibitive.) I don’t collect stamps, just enjoy the ones that come my way on letters. That didn’t matter. This book was just fun! The stamp facts, the surrounding travel, the fiction excerpts (already read them in the original Keller novels, but fun anyway :). Enjoy! And thanks, LB. Mr. Block is an excellent writer and his knowledge of stamp collecting made his articles very enjoyable. Puts some fun in stamp collecting. Great book! Once upon a time, Mr. Block wrote a series of columns for Linn’s Stamp News, a magazine for collectors. This book is a collection of those columns, interspersed with bits from Block’s Keller stories, which follow the adventures of the eponymous hit man and philatelist. Block himself engages in the hobby (stamp collecting, not murder-for-hire, which is a job and not a hobby in any case), and he brings the collector’s passion to the pieces in the book. However, the articles live up to the title — even layfolks like me can find interesting points in the columns. And of course, Block is always an engaging and entertaining writer, and that’s true here as well. It’s said of certain actors that it would be worthwhile to hear them read a telephone directory. I suppose that Lawrence Block could likely write a telephone directory that warranted pleasure reading.But in fact, Generally Speaking holds the reader’s attention whether it is being read in short bursts (a quick column or two) or longer sections. One gets a sense of the hobbyist’s fascination, of course, but one needn’t share the hobby to find the work of interest. It only requires an appreciation for good writing, which is here in abundance.If you are a philatelist, or know one, Generally Speaking will brighten your (or his, or her) day. If you aren’t a philatelist, the book might send you in that direction. And who knows? Maybe one day a kid more dexterous than I was will discover an album and a copy of Block’s book and engage with both. There are worse pleasures to encounter. I purchased this book because I think that Lawrence Block is, especially with his Matt Scudder series, the finest writer of neo noir literature alive today, and I used to collect stamps & would like to restart. This collection is an absolute delight. It had reignited my interest in stamps, is beautifully written, and pulls the reader in. I’ve rationed my reading to one – two essays a week, because I don’t want to be finished with it. My only ‘complaint’ is that Mr. Block no longer writes about stamps. If I could wave a magic wand, he would return to writing these columns for years.