It is hard to fault RHB though. They are a non-profit entity, so it is not like they are all rolling in the dough from these sets. I think they take some of their proceeds and do missionary work, and they also offer their books usually lower than all other places. Its just that Christian bibliophilism exists, and for some Christians, buying books is akin to buying crack; and the high is the glory of having them proudly displayed on ones bookshelf. That is another reason I am so keen on just getting the "majors" in Logos. I caught the Puritan Ultimate one time on sale for $175. This included the completes of Baxter, Sibbes, Manton, Owens, Charnock, Boston, Bunyan, Flavel, Brooks, Traille, and Howe. Then I picked up the works of other Puritans separately. I think I caught Spurgeons sermons for sale for $80. And last RHB sale I picked up Perkins 10 vols. for $50; which I might have to buy in Logos again just for the sake of scripture pop-ups, though RHB offering them at such a great price was a treasure in itself. But for me it is trying to make my dollars go further; apart from the greater functionality of Logos books. For the price of 2 of these upcoming physical sets, I was able to get more Puritan literature than I can ever read; and as such, I really have no business buying more sets until I have made good use of the ones I already have; even for the sake of novelty. But there is always that tug to get what you dont have, to not feel "left out." I am almost 42 and kind of at the close of my book buying. I have about 3 or 4 more payments left on the NICOT/NT, a few on the WBC I was able to pick up at $400; then I may splurge on Augustines and Luthers works, and a couple more Systematics I dont own. Then its a wrap for my book buying. I will have plenty of Puritans, plenty of Commentaries, plenty of Original Language resources, and the list can go on. Which I dont think such a collection is bad for a layman; have been blessed with much more than I need. Then I just move on and start enjoying the literature.
Setting ourselves to the goal is important (and resetting after each failure).
I heard word from a previous post they were also going to release hildersam’ works. That was 4 years ago. I don’t see him up here. Anyone have an update on that.
Just have to skip a few meals, is all.
Hey, davejonescue:
Maybe. I was fortunate enough to get all of the "classics" by that age, first in physical, then again in digital. Looking realistically at the depth of some of these titles, the amount to sit and read, and soak up what they are saying I just feel bad spending anymore money on them. Even in Logos, I already have the NICOT, and a few more payments left on the WBC, not counting the scores of other commentaries I have in there from the Legacy Libraries I purchased. But even in it I am close to being finished after about $7,000 over about 3 years; might only still get Augustines and Luthers works, PRD, etc. The funny thing is, now that we got Project Puritas done, I am really having more fun at the moment at the possibility of getting so many of these Puritan works back out there at no cost; after coming to the realization that "hey, maybe this is what I am called to do for this season," that I dont really have much time to read any of the books I have. I kind of have dedicated myself to do a, Lord willing, 6 year term with Monergism, to see how far I get, since this seems to be the biblical standard of a servant. After that, I may stop editing and focus more on reading. It does feel good though to have those titles on standby, so that if and when the time comes, I dont have to scurry to come up with finances.Hey, davejonescue:
I am 48 and, as you say, "kind of at the close of my book buying." I went the other way, though, and while giving away my excess (i.e., those books I will never read again or that I would never read the first time), I am clinging to the small cache that I have, most in physical form (except for the Spurgeon sermons, of course) and when they carry my body out, they can have my cache.
I wonder if forty-something is the time to lock in and prepare for the last days (of our lives
heritagebooks.org
I imagine these will do well due to the (essentially) installment format of releasing smaller sets over a period of time. In addition, Spurgeon studies have rather exploded since these volumes were last published.
Gotcha, deleted my comment. I didnt want to seem to be divisive between two groups that are working really hard to get these out by comparing them. But I agree with you. For those going the physical route, these will work. I would just think for those doing deep research into Spurgeon would probably prefer digital, as wading through 64 volumes, plus his works for research is tedious compared to a few clicks of the mouse. But to each their own. I would see these as more devotional reading. Sitting in a comfy recliner with a cup of Joe and relaxing; looking to be edified.
No worries, I wasn’t bothered by any of your comments! I was just piggybacking on your comment that this is an opportunity for those who weren’t able to get it in the past. I think you are right! In some ways digital tends better to research as it is more easily accessible and searchable. Plus it won’t cost $2000 like the physical set! Lol
Yeah, the nearest thing is indexes if the volumes have them. But that still takes much more time!
The best I can tell, the Banner is investing heavily in re-typesetting many of their classic reprints. They just did so with Cunningham’s Historical Theology. Similarly, it seems like they are also beginning to reprint some of their works that have long been out of print like Thornwell’s works (which just got reprinted). The advantage of re-typesetting the old works is that it would make it easier to offer them in quality epub formats. My guess is that for most people, it seems like the Banner is doing less because bringing old works back in stock doesn’t garner the same buzz that publishing new editions of collected works does (like RHB is doing).
I just finished up a meeting with Banner's North American manager a few hours ago. Banner does, indeed, have some new typesets coming out in the coming months. Their big goal this year has been to bring back out of stock titles and freshening up cover designs, which they are on a roll with. The next few months will see a ton of backlist Banner titles being released.
They have been reprinting out of print books. In the past year they did an expanded reprint of the Scottish pastor Alexander Moody Stuart. It is a nicely made book and has been a true blessing to my soul. Highly recommended!
