Post: #1

Many of you may know, but our own Quintus Curtius has released his first book, Thirty Seven: Essays On Life, Wisdom, and Masculinity.



It's been very positively reviewed by
Ann Sterzinger of TakiMag, The Three Bromigos, and Matt Forney, and holds a unanimous 5-star rating among 14 reviews on Amazon.

The thing is really a tremendous piece of work, and I'm not just saying that because Quintus is a friend who I value and respect. It's quite unlike any other book I've read.

I think Roosh put it best in his review:

Roosh Wrote:It’s the best book for men I’ve read since getting my hands on The Way Of Men by Jack Donovon a couple years ago. Even more exciting is that I think we may very well be seeing the birth of a new book genre: red pill wisdom.

Since Quintus is too modest to use the forum to draw attention to his own accomplishments, I will do it instead. I wanted to start this thread to get the word out to those of you who hadn't seen it yet, as well as create a space to share your opinions of the book.

Most importantly, Quintus is working on another book at the moment, so I think he would benefit from your feedback about what you liked, what you think could be done better, and subjects you would like to see analyzed from his unique perspective.

So take a look, and help support one of the forum's most value-giving members so he can keep sharing his perspective long into the future.

Post: #2

Good quotes from the book please.

Post: #3

(01-16-2015 09:05 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  Good quotes from the book please.

Roosh have some quotes on his review of the book.

http://www.rooshv.com/a-book-of-red-pill...ly-arrived

Post: #4

Thank you for this book, Quintus.

Post: #5

I bought and read the book last week.

On the whole it was excellent.

However I felt it lacked professional editing (in a former life I was a magazine editor); for instance many times latin phrases were used that, despite 6 years study of the language, I couldn't translate in my head. A commercial editor would have picked up on that and fixed it amongst a few other little things.

I'd give it an 8/10 overall.

I was impressed.

Post: #6

(01-17-2015 07:09 AM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  I bought and read the book last week.

On the whole it was excellent.

However I felt it lacked professional editing (in a former life I was a magazine editor); for instance many times latin phrases were used that, despite 6 years study of the language, I couldn't translate in my head. A commercial editor would have picked up on that and fixed it amongst a few other little things.

I'd give it an 8/10 overall.

I was impressed.

Crash:

Great points, man. Thanks for reading the book and your kind comments.

You are very right about the editing and formatting. This was the first project like this I have done, and I was surprised at the complexity of the editing and formatting challenges. There are demanding requirements for Kindle, paperback, and other platforms, and these need to get a lot of attention. The formatters and editors out there are of varying quality. It's important to get the best you can get. Same thing with the cover. I had to go through many cover designs before finding the right one. It was extremely tedious.

There is room for improvement in this area. The next book will be better. I am expecting it to be released in March.

But I will tell you that, regarding the Latin quotes, there are no textual mistakes or editing mistakes. Every single quote was checked and re-checked by me against the original texts as they appear in either the Loeb series or the I Tatti Renaissance series. I also cited the original source for each and every quotation (author, book, and chapter) so that interested readers can verify it themselves with the original Latin text. So, on this point, I'm going to respectfully disagree with you.

If there is some specific quote you are referring to that you believe is misquoted or mistranslated, please let me know.

Post: #7

(01-17-2015 01:14 PM)Quintus Curtius Wrote:  

(01-17-2015 07:09 AM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  I bought and read the book last week.

On the whole it was excellent.

However I felt it lacked professional editing (in a former life I was a magazine editor); for instance many times latin phrases were used that, despite 6 years study of the language, I couldn't translate in my head. A commercial editor would have picked up on that and fixed it amongst a few other little things.

I'd give it an 8/10 overall.

I was impressed.

But I will tell you that, regarding the Latin quotes, there are no textual mistakes or editing mistakes. Every single quote was checked and re-checked by me against the original texts as they appear in either the Loeb series or the I Tatti Renaissance series. I also cited the original source for each and every quotation (author, book, and chapter) so that interested readers can verify it themselves with the original Latin text. So, on this point, I'm going to respectfully disagree with you.

If there is some specific quote you are referring to that you believe is misquoted or mistranslated, please let me know.

I think I must have not been clear buddy: what I meant was that there was no translation alongside the Latin in the book for me to read.

As my functional Latin isn't where it used to be I struggled to translate it in my head. Those with zero Latin (which is most people) wouldn't have had a clue. To be honest I couldn't be bothered to look up the words I was unfamiliar with (yes I know how lazy that sounds); the average person wouldn't know where to start.

This was on the Kindle by the way so that may not be the case in the print version.

Post: #8

^^^

Crash:

There are English equivalents for all the Latin quotes, either by footnote or in the body of the text itself. The book presumes no knowledge of any foreign language on the reader's part.

Some are in the body of the (page by page) text itself, and some are in footnotes.

In the Kindle edition, the formatter set it up so that the footnotes in the body of the text are numbered links you click on that take you to the back of the book ("endnotes section") where you can see either the Latin original or English translation, as the case may be. This was not my first choice of format, but I was told that this was how Kindle handles footnotes.

In the print version, it's a bit easier to read them, since every footnote is at the bottom of the page, right there.

Post: #9

(01-17-2015 02:44 PM)Quintus Curtius Wrote:  ^^^

Crash:

There are English equivalents for all the Latin quotes, either by footnote or in the body of the text itself. The book presumes no knowledge of any foreign language on the reader's part.

Some are in the body of the (page by page) text itself, and some are in footnotes.

In the Kindle edition, the formatter set it up so that the footnotes in the body of the text are numbered links you click on that take you to the back of the book ("endnotes section") where you can see either the Latin original or English translation, as the case may be. This was not my first choice of format, but I was told that this was how Kindle handles footnotes.

In the print version, it's a bit easier to read them, since every footnote is at the bottom of the page, right there.

Fair enough.

I didn't even realise you could click links in a book!

Either way I enjoyed the book a great deal.

Post: #10

^^^

Thanks much man. I do appreciate it.

Post: #11

Just bought it can't wait to read it QC!

Post: #12

I really enjoyed the novel.

Here's a brief review I wrote up on my blog:

http://www.poweryourtwenties.com/2015/02...ead-month/

Quote:This book carries my strongest recommendation and is not only my favorite book so far this year, but among the best I’ve read in a long time. The author of this novel is Quintus Curtius, an established writer over at Return of Kings and a valuable member to the Roosh V Forum community. Thirty Seven (Amazon) is a collection of essays on life, wisdom, and masculinity, as is noted by the subtitle. No additional words are necessary to describe this literary masterpiece.

I would like to share one of my favorite quotes from the novel.

What passes for male education these days is often a travesty, for it places far too much emphasis on intellectual development, and attaches too little importance to the training of character.

It is my belief that the central theme comprising the summation of all these essays is Quintus’ response to the aforementioned issue latently present in our culture. Through compelling stories, notably those describing the feats of famous figures throughout history, Quintus seeks to educate his readers on the different components of virtue and ultimately, character.

There is no better school of instruction for our own lives than in learning about the lives and trials of great men. By following their experiences, struggles, and adversities, we can in some way calibrate our own responses to life’s inevitable whirlwinds.

It is by this medium that Quintus shares his knowledge and extensive research with his readers.

This novel is a must-read for any young man. Besides the clear reasons as to why, Quintus’ writing is intelligent and truly unique, and will challenge your literary skills to say the least.

Post: #13

A great enough book that I bought it twice: Kindle and Hardcopy.

My one complaint is that blurb text looks very blurry on the back, like a low-resolution scan blown up. QC: If you have a multi-gradiant background topped with light text and want the text to 'pop' consistently, try a thin black border around the edge of the text. In the 'Layers' Palette of Photoshop, select the 'Layer Style' button, (the 'F' in the circle second from the left at the bottom), and select 'Stroke' and experiment with the settings. Like anything, less is more.

Post: #14

Thanks, AB, for your kind comments.

I wanted to use this thread to announce that my second book, Pantheon, is scheduled to be released this coming week. The announcement is here:

http://qcurtius.com/2015/03/29/countdown-to-pantheon/

I have forged the sword. It is now for you to grasp the pommel.

I can say with confidence that there is not another work like this one in the contemporary literary scene. Anywhere.

I am going to grab you by the throat, and kick you in the metaphorical scrotum.

And now this exhausted writer will turn his attentions to a much-deserved trip to his favorite foreign destination. A life spent without due attention to the pleasures of the senses can hardly be called a life at all.

Post: #15

It's been released today. The links are here:

http://qcurtius.com/2015/03/30/pantheon-...available/


Help me, O Muse, and carry my words aloft
On swift and airy currents, that they may solace
The expectant calls of seeking hearts.

Post: #16

^ Just ordered the Paperback. Looking forward to it.

Post: #17

Bought the kindle version of Pantheon, and just read the prologue...

Post: #18

^^^

To Seth and AB:

Many thanks for your reading the book. This one took a lot out of me, and I hope you will be thinking of me next week, as one exhausted scholar attempts to focus on the fleshier delights of his favorite foreign destination.

As you can tell by now, I am concerned with what makes men great, or greater.

To probe this question, we must rely on historical and biographical example, as well as the hard-won wisdom from life's rough-and-tumble.

So, we are building on the foundation laid in "Thirty-Seven" to make the edifice of self-knowledge stretch higher and higher. As the spires reach skyward, so do we.

More emphasis here is on the spiritual side of things. I have always felt that Neoplatonism is an ideal philosophy for this "Godless" new world we live in. It requires no rituals or pedantic habits, only a strong moral center and an idealistic bent. And I think many men today have both of these things, with little opportunity to channel it.

At the very least, these ideas may generate some discussion, which is the first step in self-realization.

Q

Post: #19

(03-30-2015 03:40 PM)Quintus Curtius Wrote:  As you can tell by now, I am concerned with what makes men great, or greater.

More emphasis here is on the spiritual side of things. I have always felt that Neoplatonism is an ideal philosophy for this "Godless" new world we live in. It requires no rituals or pedantic habits, only a strong moral center and an idealistic bent. And I think many men today have both of these things, with little opportunity to channel it.

I'll admit, this is a fascination of mine, and the frustration of my life is being a strong, disciplined adult man in his forties lonely for stronger - not casual bonds - with male peers who ponder the deeper complexities and qualities of what makes us men.

The vast majority I meet are feminised manchildren whose concerns seems to be holdovers from childhood that they should have grown out of, and there's such a level of deeply-ingrained anti-male self-loathing and toxicity in Australian Men - even ones you'd think were Alpha by looks alone often strike me as Badly Beaten Dogs to some degree - that I've become very, very wary of attempting to form bonds with men I don't know, because the strongest ones are formed through hardship and cultivating resilience, and comfort seems to be the order of the day for a lot of men.

All this is to say: I'm damn glad you're out there writing on these issues. These topics need wider discussion amongst men, as men are being deliberately-neutered and feminised in thought, and the lack of direction, positivity, pride and meaning in their lives is dangerous.

Post: #20

Hey Quintus,

I've checked a couple times now to buy the "Thirty Seven" paperback through Amazon.ca (Canada edition) but they only seem to offer the Kindle version.

Do you know why that is? I actually wanted to buy copies as gifts per my thinking here: /thread-35041-...#pid701748

Also, if you have any affliate links set up, maybe we could buy your books through that so you get a bit extra.

Post: #21

(03-30-2015 07:15 PM)LeBeau Wrote:  Hey Quintus,

I've checked a couple times now to buy the "Thirty Seven" paperback through Amazon.ca (Canada edition) but they only seem to offer the Kindle version.

Do you know why that is? I actually wanted to buy copies as gifts per my thinking here: /thread-35041-...#pid701748

Also, if you have any affliate links set up, maybe we could buy your books through that so you get a bit extra.

Yes, good question. The Kindle version went live yesterday (and is now on Amazon).

The paperback was just launched this morning by Creatspace. You can get it right now at the Createspace store at this link:

https://www.createspace.com/5402766

But it takes about 3 days (I am told) for the paperback to go live on Amazon and be "linked up" on one page with the Kindle version. It's just how they do it.

No big deal.

It will have worldwide distribution, just like Thirty Seven.

Post: #22

(03-30-2015 07:15 PM)LeBeau Wrote:  Hey Quintus,

I've checked a couple times now to buy the "Thirty Seven" paperback through Amazon.ca (Canada edition) but they only seem to offer the Kindle version.

Do you know why that is? I actually wanted to buy copies as gifts per my thinking here: /thread-35041-...#pid701748

Also, if you have any affliate links set up, maybe we could buy your books through that so you get a bit extra.

LeBeau:

I just realized that I didn't answer your question in my last post. But I will now. I called the head honchos and they told me how this all works.

Amazon.com (i.e., the United States) does not offer its published books directly on Amazon.ca (in Canada). To buy the paperback version of "Thirty Seven" you would have to go to Amazon.com, which is very easy to do. You can use this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Thirty-Seven-Essay...irty+seven

The paperbacks are directly available on every other country's website (Europe, Mexico, Australia, etc) except Amazon's Canada website (amazon.ca). That's kind of odd to me, but such is the world of e-commerce.

But it really doesn't matter, because all you have to do is go to Amazon.com or go to the Createspace store.

You can also buy the paperbacks through the Createspace store. Here are the links for Thirty Seven and Pantheon:

https://www.createspace.com/5052142

https://www.createspace.com/5402766


Let me know if you have any questions, problems, or issues.

Post: #23

I'll give the new one a read this week, fella.

Post: #24

Actually QC, which version gets you the most £££, paper or kindle?

I can wait a few days for the paperback if it's beneficial to you, Sir.

Post: #25

(03-31-2015 05:30 AM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  Actually QC, which version gets you the most £££, paper or kindle?

I can wait a few days for the paperback if it's beneficial to you, Sir.

CrashBangWallop:

You don't need to wait for anything, man. You can buy the paperback version right now at the Createspace store. They ship worldwide. The link is in the preceding posts here.

It's just that it takes a few days for the paperback version to appear on Amazon.com.

I think the royalties are about the same whether it's paperback or Kindle. It doesn't matter, but thanks for asking anyway, mate.

By the way, I think you'll like the formatting on this one...!

Q