A book is to me like a hat or coat - a very uncomfortable thing until the newness has been worn off

A book is to me like a hat or coat - a very uncomfortable thing until the newness has been worn off

Charles W. Fairbanks was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 26th Vice President of the United States from 1905 to 1909 under President Theodore Roosevelt. Fairbanks was known for his eloquence and intelligence, and he was a voracious reader throughout his life. He once famously said, “A book is to me like a hat or coat - a very uncomfortable thing until the newness has been worn off.”

Fairbanks’ comparison of a book to a hat or coat is a unique and insightful perspective on the experience of reading. Just as a new hat or coat may feel stiff and awkward at first, a new book can also be uncomfortable until the reader becomes familiar with its contents and style. Fairbanks understood that the process of reading involves a period of adjustment and acclimation, much like breaking in a new piece of clothing.

Fairbanks’ analogy also speaks to the transformative power of books. Just as a hat or coat can change the way a person looks and feels, a book has the ability to shape and influence the reader’s thoughts and beliefs. Fairbanks recognized that the discomfort of a new book is a necessary part of the process of growth and learning. As the reader delves deeper into the text and becomes more familiar with its ideas, the initial discomfort gives way to understanding and enlightenment.

Fairbanks’ love of reading and his appreciation for the transformative power of books are evident in his statement about the discomfort of newness. Throughout his life, Fairbanks was known for his intellectual curiosity and his dedication to self-improvement through reading. He understood that books have the power to challenge and expand our minds, and that the discomfort of newness is a small price to pay for the knowledge and insight that they can provide.