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When I was learning in Israel this book came out and I was told not to read it. Im a little bit older now and very curious to how gedolim lived their lives. Does anyone know where I can find the book, Making of a Gadol?
I own several copies. It’s not found in stores. Your best bet is to find a friend who owns one or a Shul that has one in the library. Or ebay.
I don’t but I have figured out a great get rich scheme. You publish a book, get it put in cherem, and keep a few copies to sell yourself on e-bay.
The gedolim shlit”a advised the author to withdraw the book from the market. He listened to the gedolim and withdrew it. I’m not sure why anyone would want to read something the gedolim don’t allow; but in any event it is unavailable.
My library has 4 copies; 2 of each edition. But they don’t put them out on the shelves, and you can’t borrow them. They just let you read it in the library if you tell them to pull it from storage. I had them pull it out, but then never read it.
Csar: Do you know why the Gedolim asked him to withdraw it? Maybe read his second book, The Making of a Ban, before you say anything about his book or what is contained therein.
Sam: There is no point in arguing about it. Even the author agreed to withdraw it and he opposes it being distributed, per the Gedolim’s instructions. If he listens to the Gedolim when it directly affects his own writings, surely perspective readers should honor the instructions of both the Gedolim and the author in this matter.
(Btw, the second book “The Making of a Ban” he never published.)
Csar: Really? I have a copy. How did I get a copy if he never published it. And he respected public opinion. He has no problem with anything he wrote therein or with distributing it, as far as I know.
He never published it. He gave a copy to a few confident’s that he trusted wouldn’t distribute it.
And he discontinued sale of the original books upon instructions of the gedolim (he said so himself), not public opinion.
I understand a few of the major public universities wound up with copies. I’m pretty sure the Maryland State system has one because I borrowed it a few years ago. If I am remembering it right, I found it rather poorly written.
Getting an inside peak into the mind and growth of a Gadol is indeed fascinating. I didn’t read this book, and I doubt I would. But, All for the Boss had that element. It is a book that shows you how a determined person was unfazed by his surroundings, and how he grew and grew.
I also enjoyed immensely the Chida’s Masa’os, Magal Tov. It gives a real insight into his personal opinions and thoughts. Although I doubt he would be so happy about people reading it.
kfb I just saw Making of a Godol on ebay several days ago for a good price. It was not the original withdrawn book, but the improved edition. I heard that the improved edition is very similar to the original one.
I have read both editions cover to cover and own the improved edition. The improved edition is virtually identical to the original. Either one will do. It is a must read. Anatomy of a Ban is interesting but not obligatory. I have a copy of that too. Not for sale. Enjoy.
I have never read it, but there is one up for sale on amazon.com for $450.
If you look hard enough online, you can find a PDF to download with the entire book for free. This PDF has been around for years. And considering the author has not been selling the book for many years, he loses nothing.
That being said, it is worthwhile pointing out that Gedolei Yisroel shlit”a have assured the book.
I have a pdf copy floating in my computer somehow. If I find it, I can email it or create a dropbox for you to get it, if you so request.
MediumThinker: If you could dropbox and link to that, I’d be most grateful.
NO!
-95
I have a pdf copy floating in my computer somehow. If I find it, I can email it or create a dropbox for you to get it, if you so request.
That sounds completely illegal to me. I’m not aware that the author gave up his copyright.
popa Once the author refuses to publish or distribute any more copies there is no halachik or legal problem.
PBA:
Which Library?
Well, here is the Wikipedia entry on that:
Copyright protection attaches to a work as soon as it is fixed in a tangible medium, whether the copyright holder desires this protection or not. Before the Copyright Act of 1976 an artist could abandon or forfeit their copyright by neglecting to comply with the relevant formalities. Difficulty arises when one tries to apply the doctrine of abandonment to present-day concerns regarding the abandonment or gifting of a digitized work to the public domain. The abandonment of a work is difficult to prove in court, though Learned Hand stated proposed a test which parallels other forms of abandonment law wherein an author or copyrightholder could abandon their work if they intend to abandon it and commit an overt act to make public that intention.[3]
popa
Thank you for proving my point. The article is quite obvious that it is legal, just that it would require more evidence. Since Rabbi Kamenetzky made it clear through many channels, such as open statements in public,publishing it etc. that he refuses to distribute his work there would be no legal issue.
I saw it on Z berman books website
Medium thinker:
Not quite. Intent to abandon means that you intend for other people to be allowed to use it; not that you intend to not use it yourself anymore. There is no evidence that he intended for other people to be allowed to copy it.
“n order to effect an abandonment, the proprietor must have an intention to surrrender or abandon his right and allow the public to copy.” 84 A.L.R.2d 462
popa is correct. Rabbi Kaminetzky specifically said he does NOT want the book to be distributed in any fashion whatsoever, in deference to the wishes of the Gedolim who asked it not be distributed. The author directly said as much. He also indicated he was against its electronic distribution.
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