Hi, Barrett:

So far, I've only read the last section with McLuhan and that gang (I'm a slow reader) -- but I'm really impressed. You really absorbed that quickly, and it definitely applies. And I think the title is hilarious. As usual, your tone seems perfect to me. I still think one of the funniest articles I've ever read was P.J. O'Rourke's analysis of the savings and loan debacle back in the  late '80s. You have that same touch of making the complex readable and rewarding. And you're a much better person than PJO'R has turned out to be. In my ignorance, my theory is he made a pot of money and suddenly discovered that he'd been a Republican all along.

I did read the dedication to Karen. You'd better be ready for an ocean of tears. That's really going to mean a lot to her, and it was really a classy thing to do. As much as we admire you, she's always (from where we sit) been your biggest fan.

My favorite columnist, Leonard Pitts, was here last week, and I got to have breakfast with him. Great guy. His biggest complaint was that John Stewart is the only one who documents what windbags most of the pundits are (I didn't go into new orality/no memory theory with him). I told him about your book -- you might make sure he gets a copy if your publisher is sending out free ones for review.

I'll try to finish your book this week -- too much grading right now. I'd rather be reading.....

More soon.

Love, Chuck



Charles Marsh, Ph.D.
William Allen White Foundation Professor
Associate Professor
School of Journalism and Mass Communications
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-7642
Fax: (785) 864-5318
marsh@ku.edu



-----Original Message-----
From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Fri 2/12/2010 5:15 PM
To: Marsh, Charles
Subject: My book
 
Howdy, Chuck-

Wanted to thank you again for introducing me to McLuhan and those concepts
in general; I made use of them in the epilogue to my book. I've attached the
finished manuscript here in case you'd like to read it early.

Love,

Barrett