Cover photograph by Rod Searcey.

From a tour of Harlan’s favorite films of the ’40s to an account of the best comics of the ’90s, WHY DO YOU CALL ME ISHMAEL WHEN YOU KNOW MY NAME IS BERNIE? gathers an omnifarious array of Ellisonian essays that use popular culture as a window on sociology and politics, art as an insight into the human soul, and Dashiel Hammett for an English lesson.

Most of these essays began life as introductions to one book or another, some made one-off appearances in magazines, and at least one did both! They may have been written for a myriad of reasons, but--at the end of the day--they all offer a look inside the mind of the man who crafted them...a man not named Ishmael...or Bernie...though he has been known to sign books he doesn't care for as "Herman Melville."

Contents:
Introduction to BUT I DIGRESS by Peter David
The Year of the Scorpion: Reveries on 1978
Words Before You Begin (aka Preface to the WIZARD 1996 COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE)
An Oz Essay
On the Face of Mount Rushmore: R. A. Lafferty and Four Other Guys
Aaarghh! Help! The Giant Ant Ate My Maidenform Bra
Untitled liner notes for Ennio Morrixone's Tre Donne/Uccidete Il Vitello Grasso É Arrostitelo
Introduction to ASTRO CITY: Family Album by Kurt Busiek
A Few Words anent Woolrich
Cain: Ever So Able
A Gunsel Is Not a Pistolero
Introduction to THE ROCKETEER by Dave Stevens
Introduction to BEYOND ZERO HOUR (aka Introduction to WIZARD: The DC Library Book)
Vidiot’s Delight
Things Unseen
A Special Dreamer
Mortal Dreads (standalone version)
Trimalchio in West Egg
Shmoo Goes There???
The Films of the ’40s
Exorcising Texas
Embrace the Departing Shadow
Dreams of Joy Recaptured

Essays in bold print were added to the table of contents after the book was placed on pre-order in September 2018.

180 pages.

PLEASE SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/asis-prods/

RULE #1

If you have a question, please ASK BEFORE YOU BID! I almost always answer messages within 24 business hours, if not sooner.

RULE #2

Payment for all auctions MUST be made within 72 hours of the auction closing. The seller reserves the right to terminate the auction should payment NOT be made within the designated time, unless other arrangements have been made PRIOR TO BIDDING.

RULE #3

I will not consider offers BELOW the starting bid until the final two days of the auction.

All sales final. No returns. Please study the photographs and the condition listing to avoid disappointment.

LISTINGS

Please do not assume ANYTHING not clearly stated or illustrated in the listing. If there's no dust jacket pictured with a book, do not assume I'm hiding it as a surprise for the winning bidder. If you have a question, please see RULE # 1. (If I have to state the foregoing, you know it's happened.)

PHOTOGRAPHS

Unless stated otherwise above, the photographs in this listing represent the item you are buying/bidding upon. I do my best to photograph each item in natural light, attempt to feature every angle, and apologize for the glare. If anything in the written listing text contradicts the photographs, please put your faith in the pictures or e-mail me for clarification prior to bidding.

On occasion, I may feature representative stock photos of a new item sealed in shrinkwrap or otherwise difficult to photograph. These stock photos will be noted!

BIDDING

If you have feedback rating lower than 10, please message me prior to bidding so I know there's a real person backing the bid.

COMBINING ORDERS

While I cannot guarantee I'll be able to combine orders for items--some groupings are just too complicated to pack safely--I will make every effort to combine items purchased or won on the same day. To facilitate this effort, please e-mail me if you plan to bid on multiple items or purchase buy-it-now items via the shopping cart feature.

PACKING

I endeavor to ensure that your item will arrive in the same condition exhibited in the photographs. For most items--books, CDs, DVDs, and figures--I'll pack your order in a sturdy box, wrapped with bubblewrap or newsprint, whatever is best to protect the item in question. With comics and magazines--which I almost always sell bagged and boarded--I may opt for a rigid flat mailer, if the item can be properly protected therein.

SHIPPING

Most of what I sell--books, CDs, and DVDs--can be shipped via USPS Media Mail, but periodicals with advertisements--most comicbooks and magazines--are NOT eligible for media mail and will either be shipped via First Class or Ground Advantage. 

I also offer Priority Mail as an option, for those who wish for expedited delivery. Most of my auctions conclude on Tuesdays and Fridays, and I almost always ship paid items the following day. Items paid for more than 24 hours after the auction closes will likely go out on the FOLLOWING Wednesday or Saturday.

FEEDBACK

If you have a problem with your order, please contact me before leaving negative feedback. I want you to be satisfied with your item and will work with you to resolve any issues. 

When I see positive feedback logged against our transaction, I will conclude that you have received the item and are satisfied. I'll then reciprocate with feedback for you.

PLEASE SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS

https://www.ebay.com/sch/asis-prods/

THANK YOU FOR LOOKING!