Comments for Robert Sandberg - Indices Rerum - Adding Daily to the General Hullabaloo Among the Spheres

Comment on Truman Metzel & Great Expectations Bookstore - Evanston, IL by Sophologist

Sophologist — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:05:18 +0000

I studied philosophy at Loyola University in Chicago, and Great Expectations was the source of 95% of the philosophy library I still own. Truman was not very fond of Loyola, and while he treated us Loyola students and faculty well, he did not pass up an opportunity to say something nasty about the place.

So one day I suggested to Truman that he open a satellite bookstore near the campus of Loyola. I said I even had a good name for it. “What’s that?” he grumbled. “Lesser Expectations,” I suggested. He shook his head no, and growled “Bleak House.”

PS: Richard McKeon was not a nasty man - he was just a tough academic.

Comment on Chicago - A New Poem by Timothy Sandberg by Tim

Tim — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:18:47 +0000

I guess you could say I’m published now!

Comment on Truman Metzel & Great Expectations Bookstore - Evanston, IL by Bob

Bob — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:35:49 +0000

Great memories! I was a student of Hayford’s as well. Thanks for reminding me of the Hayford/Metzel connection.

I had forgotten how Metzel would set aside books for Hayford to go through. I would be browsing and hear Truman and Harry laughing and talking on the other side of the store.

Comment on Truman Metzel & Great Expectations Bookstore - Evanston, IL by Steve Olsen-Smith

Steve Olsen-Smith — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:48:32 +0000

What memories this post conjures up, Bob! Was never a resident of Evanston myself, but was an unofficial student of Harry Hayford, who brought me to Great Expectations a couple of times in the late 90s. I loved listening to Harry and Metzel go back and forth with one another about matters of book dealing and bibliography. When we arrived Metzel would reach somewhere and produce a box of books on Melville he had been holding for Harry. Think of being this chummy with a dealer that he delays shelving new acquisitions until you’ve had a chance to show up and comb through them first. But I think Harry had a whole network of such associates who shared his love for books and scholarship. I had not realized that Great Expectations closed down the same year Harry died. Great independently minded scholars and great book stores–dying breeds.