The Dresden Files > DF Books
Did you discover the books because of the TV Show?
SkullOne:
I'm a Dresden fanatic. I wish I could have been at that book signing here in San Diego but I had to work. Tribblechomper, what I meant by losers is me chastising myself for not reading this series since its conception back in 2000. I need to get a few t-shirts though and meet JB in person and I'll be happy.
Tribblechomper:
--- Quote from: SkullOne on April 08, 2008, 07:17:44 PM ---...what I meant by losers is me chastising myself for not reading this series since its conception back in 2000. I need to get a few t-shirts though and meet JB in person and I'll be happy.
--- End quote ---
Having met the fellow personally on his first booksigning in Chicago (if I recall Shannon's info correctly), I have to say this: wherever the man is storing the ego he ought to have (The aircraft hangar where they store Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose comes readily to mind), he sure as heck didn't pack it on his trip to the booksigning I went to...he was open, friendly, humble, and clearly enjoying meeting his addicts fans.
Indeed, he hasn't forgotten what it's like to be a fan, so he applies that sensibility in addressing his fans; with Shannon's invaluable assistance, I was able to write a biography of Jim that knocked my teacher for a loop...instead of just relying on available printed material, she gave me the ultimate in first-hand information and I passed with flying colors, due largely to her help and that of others in Jim's inner circle. With her further assistance, I was able to put into his hands (via the US Postal System) not only said biography, but the other Jim Butcher Project I presented (same teacher) for my History Of Chicago class...the teacher was adamant on this Final Project: NO AL CAPONE, NO MICHAEL JORDAN!; seems that was all previous classes had done, and one can only look at so many Capone-themed papers without going a little bug-snap! So I had a rather-unusual idea: Since I'd already pimped introduced the books to her, I suggested using the Chicago Neighborhood Map made/sold by Big Stick Inc. as a means of documenting where Real-Life Chicago met Dresdenverse Chicago, as described in the books...marking the locations with those peel-and-stick colored dots, color-coding each book and using it to mark these intersection points (Storm Front, Fool Moon, etc.).
When that, along with my presentational style, impressed the teacher (There IS something rather attention-grabbing when your lecturer rips open his shirt, revealing a Bookstore Commando shirt in a Superman-ish manner...), who was rating not only on content, but ability to keep one's audience interested...the question then became, "What do I do with it now?". I decided, with Shannon's help, to send it to the subject of the biography, along with the color-dotted map; skip forward to the book lecture in Chicago suburbs, where I am waiting with the most recent update of the Chicago Neighborhood Map, rolled up in a tube. Jim might not have been able to pick me out of a lineup before that night...but when I unrolled the map, he knew EXACTLY who I was, and signed not only the books, but the map, which hangs on the wall to my left as I write this, protected from the ravages of Time by the expert lamination skills of the Merry Elves of Kinko's/FedEx
For those curious about this Chicago Neighborhood Map, Chicago is made up of numerous neighborhoods, each with a little something special and their own identity...when Harry refers to going into the Morgan Park neighborhood, Morgan Park is on the southern point of Chicago (on the map, it's grid-referenced at "M-6")...if he were going to the Portage Park neighborhood, Portage Park is on the Northwest side of Chicago (on the map, it's grid-referenced at "C-4"). The Morgue area where Butters works is, I believe, near the hospital, located at F-7, in the area labelled "The M.D. (Medical District)/University Village"...get the idea?
If the Admins will allow it, I'll post a link to where you can buy the map and track Harry's movements yourself; if not, email me off the board for Big Stick's website.
SkullOne:
Mmmkay, if it wasn't obvious enough, but the hell with it, I'm gonna say it anyways. I'M JEALOUS! That map sounds badass. I can't speak for myself, but you must definitely get a warm fuzzy feeling when your favorite author recognizes you. I bow down to your fandom. *Bows down*. "I'm not worthy. I'm not worthy."
Tribblechomper:
Mmmkay, if it wasn't obvious enough, but the hell with it, I'm gonna say it anyways. I'M JEALOUS! That map sounds badass. I can't speak for myself, but you must definitely get a warm fuzzy feeling when your favorite author recognizes you. I bow down to your fandom. *Bows down*. "I'm not worthy. I'm not worthy." -SkullOne
You want a link to the map website?
http://www.bigstickinc.com/
Top row shows the Chicago Maps...what I sent Jim was Chicago Neighborhood Map (Second Version, Second Edition); what he signed was Chicago Neighborhood Map, Third Edition
There's even a deal to get what they call the Chicago Triple Play:
Includes:
- Chicago 1st Edition
- Chicago 2nd Ver. 2nd Edition
- Chicago 3rd Edition
All for $90...that's like $10 30 per map!
SkullOne:
Sweet. Thanks.
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