I received a shipment of hardback copies of Blue Collar Intellectuals (buy it here) yesterday. They look sharp. The spine has just enough girth to contain my name horizontally and my book's title vertically. The cover's length and width are smaller than my other books, which makes sense given that it is my shortest one. I've been especially blessed over the years with some creative cover designs, which I have never had anything to do with. The pinwheel beanie on the Intellectual Morons dust jacket captured that book in an image. So, too, I think does the tool box stuffed with books on the dust jacket of Blue Collar Intellectuals. There is always a special feeling when the first copies of a book arrive off the press. Unlike talk radio, campus lectures, or even blogging, there is no interpersonal reward--from callers, the audience, or posters--from writing a book. It's a long and lonely business. So there is great satisfaction in seeing and even feeling the final product. I once knew a guy who smelled books. I don't take my bibliophilia that far. Anyhow, the best part of this, or any, book, is inside. I hope you get a chance to see and feel--and even smell--this book. And I hope that entices you to read it.