![]() If you were being told this tale verbally this wouldn't be a particular issue but on the page it stands out it suggests that the ghostwriter has typed up his recording of an interview, thought 'That'll do', and not bothered to re-read what he's typed. For example, on page 126 when discussing an expedition to Patagonia that included Don Whillans, we're told that Don Whillans did 'little or no load carrying or climbing' on the expedition twice within the space of five paragraphs. But what can pass muster when someone is telling a story verbally just doesn't work on the page. Which is fair enough, and what I'd do if I were a ghostwriter. Reading the book, it strikes me that Greg Lewis, the ghostwriter, has interviewed Eric Jones a number of times and then typed up what has been said. A good ghostwriter will work very closely indeed with his/her client to ensure that the client's distinctive 'voice' comes through. ![]() > What does matter, very much indeed, is poorly edited copy in books. He's nurtured the spirit of adventure for over 50 years - an inspiration to all of us. I look forward to reading Eric Jones' book. Yes, the reader can be cynically short-changed. Their pleasure from reading the book is sharply diminished.Ī conservative estimate is that some 50% of non-fiction books are ghosted. But many readers do notice and do care - very much indeed. To me, it displays contempt for the reader who, presumably, 'either won't notice or won't care'. Sadly I see evidence of this all the time, even in books from major publishing houses. What does matter, very much indeed, is poorly edited copy in books. (Indeed I'm probably doing so, right now!) I don't think that little slips, particularly on here, matter too much - and, after all, the OP is a reader, not a publishing professional. ![]() It's well-nigh axiomatic that, when someone comes on here discussing copy-editing or proofreading, they make a little slip themselves. You and your ghost writer have let Eric down.Īre there any other known sloppy ghost-written autobiogs of climbers? So someone at the Gwasg Carreg Gwich publishers hasn't proof-read the book and got rid of repetitive character introductions and climbing term explanations. Sure enough Greg Lewis has a website which says he is a ghost writer amongst other things, and that A Life on the Edge is one of his books. Then, turning that page, there is an inside cover page which says this is the autobiography of Eric Jones by "Eric Jones with Greg Lewis" could it be a ghost-written autobiography? Who is he? It's not a familiar name in climbing circles. Inside, the very first page has an introduction by a Greg Lewis. It said "A Life on the Edge" by Eric Jones. The guy's still got all his mental marbles and then some. ![]() And then he wouldn't say what a bergschrund was repeatedly in different chapters? And then included it in a technical term list at the end of the book. Surely Eric wouldn't forget that he'd introduced Mick Coffey, his old climbing buddy, again and again. It was a nice Christmas present but after having Mick Coffey introduced for the fifth time and the term 'bergschrund' explained for the fourth time I began to wonder. I'm enjoying reading Eric Jones' autobiography A Life in the Edge. ![]()
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