"The America Gene"

The America Gene, Michael Nesmith's second novel published in 2009, details his observation that "at a certain time, the America Gene wakes up in the life of all Americans, and starts to drive you to your own personal Las Vegas. And of course, by the time you're completely grown up, you're a moron." 

The America Gene is once again available at Videoranch. You can pre-order your copy today and Videoranch will ship them out the second week of October. (Please allow some extra time if you are requesting Michael's signature.)

Michael posted the following on Facebook about the book:

"I got the printed book proof back from the printers of The America Gene. It was good to hold it in my hands. I sat in my reading chair and read the first three chapters.

I think the experience of reading a paper book is unique and I hope it doesn’t go away. It has been around so long it is almost impossible for me to imagine not reading a printed book. I have several Readers for E books now and I carry a large library of books with me on some device when I travel — and I like reading text on a screen well enough. I have nothing at all against it.

There is a lot to recommend the E book; being able to look up the definition of a word by touching the screen, and being able to carry dozens of books with you to have them just at hand.

I’m not sure what makes reading a printed book so different.

Maybe it’s the way I sit. I have a wonderful reading chair. Maybe it’s the way the book fits in my hands and the way it smells when it’s new. I’m not sure, but there is something pleasant and peaceful about it that is different from any other method of reading I know. Holding the book in my hands while I stare off in space as I think through an idea that the book advances is especially comforting to me.

I am a grazer. I read a little of many books at a time. I’ll read this and that in bits and pieces. It’s not a good way to study but I don’t study a book. I just make the effort to understand what is being said and not too much of an effort to remember it. I feel if I understand what I am reading I have gotten the best part of an idea. The understanding moves into my head and lives there without effort.

I’ll stumble on the idea from time to time and because I took the time to understand it I can see where it might fit in a new landscape of thought. I’m not good at remembering quotes and stacks of facts but I wander through many different worlds of ideas.

I was happy to see The America Gene print book and get a hands-on close look at it. I really enjoy this book. I’ve read it a couple of times just for the pleasure of it in much the same way I listen from time to time to records I have made.

This is the first time I have been able to read it as a printed book, and like I say, there is something different about print that I like, something that contributes to the experience of the book, and in the book, that expands it. A print book opens up differently for me than text on a screen; no pun intended (but still accepted).

You can order a print copy now over at www.videoranch.com. It’s up on the front page and will ship on the 7th of October.

It will be out later as an E book as well – by later I mean a few weeks. Then it will be available in all formats; each format with its own peculiar contribution to the experience of the story.

What a world."