we should be doing a lot more Spanish
and French and Arabic and a bunch of other languages that we generally
totally ignore.

We don't ignore them. We beg, plead, and implore for them. But we don't get them. I sent a personal letter to the King of Saudi Arabia explaining what we are doing and telling him that we would greatly appreciate both books in Arabic and Arabic books that are translated into English. In case you don't know it, some of the most important books of exploration and history in the middle ages happen to be in Arabic. So are some seminal mathematical books, along with a good many other books.

 

His Majesty's staff ignored me.

 

I sent a similar letter to the Saudi Aramco Oil Company. I got similar results, despite the fact that Saudi Aramco World is one of the best National-Geographic type magazines in print. Every month when our copy arrives my husband reads it first on the grounds that he's the historian in the family; then I get it the second he lays it down.

 

We WANT all these other texts. Obviously what goes for English does not necessarily go for other languages, so quit badgering me about that. Now, have you got any bright ideas where we can GET those books in other languages? If so, get them, and the sooner the better. I assure that they will be posted as soon as their copyright status is determined.

 

Anne