posted November 14, 2005 06:44 PM               

Hey, how can that link get away with giving away his book???

posted December 06, 2005 08:59 PM               

A short passage:

My favorite haunt of all the ship-chandlers in Amsterdam was a dark, high-ceilinged old store called called Granaat on Oude Schans. Its special line was hardware of the kind used for boats and buildings, basic stuff in steel, aluminum, bronze, and most of all brass. Old-time stores of this kind are rare, now found only in ancient port cities like Amsterdam where they have carried on the their trade for generations. Granaat's high walls were covered with shelves holding a marvellous jumble of objects, and drawers plastered with samples of what each contained. The peculiar smell and faint yellow glow of brass permeated the whole place. Light from the few bare bulbs hanging high above reflected off bits of brighter metal here and there, making them sparke like crystal in the gloom. For anyone addicted to such things, Grannat was an unexpected bonanza, a special kind of treasure house, a place I could have explored for hours, delving into the room's dark corners and hidden secrets. I coveted much in that old store but it was a dangerous trap for a brass junkie. I only bought an excessive number of brass screws, and sadly dragged myself away, leaving behind so much that I sorely yearned to own, but knew deep down that I really didn't need.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has had similar feelings about ship-chandlers.