I need to track down a particular out of print book - Ten Years in an
open-kneck shirt by John Cooper Clarke from Arrow Books, ISBN
0099312409.  Where can I find a copy of this book?

I have tried a number of "Out of Print sites", but none of them seem
to have a copy.  It is, by all accounts, particularly difficult to
find a copy of this book.

I would like your researchers to track down a copy for me.

This is very important as I have lost my cousin's copy and it is
causing a rift in the family (believe it or not!!!).  Some people are
so material, don't you think?

Anyway...it's my sister's Wedding soon and I want to purchase a copy
to give to my cousin before the big day - and so avoiding any bad
vibes.

I will double the fee if you actually track down a copy of the book
and it results in me buying it.  Please don't simply provide me with a
list of out of print book sites.  Been there, done that.

---

Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 21 May 2003 09:51 PDT

Hi standy,

I entered the ISBN # into Google and found a person that is holding a
royalty payment for the author. It's likely that person would have a
copy of the book, or would now have contact information:

http://216.239.39.100/search?q=cache:dwdWNJ1qlBcJ:www.cyberspike.com/clarke/trivia.html+%22ISBN+0099312409%22&hl=en&lr=lang_en&ie=UTF-8
..."We are currently holding royalties on behalf of John Cooper Clarke
for the title Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt (ISBN: 0099312409). I
should be most grateful if you provide a contact address, so that I
can send a set of registration forms to John Cooper Clarke..."

Thank you for your help in this matter.

Yours sincerely

Rebecca Battarbee
Print Media Manager
ALCS
Marlborough Court
14-18 Holborn
London
EC1N 2LE ..."

---

Clarification of Question by standy-ga on 22 May 2003 05:23 PDT

cynthia,

Thanks for your time, but this isn't really that helpful.  The site
was last updated in 1999 and they are not a book search service.  They
have agreed to pass on any correspondence to the author, but I
seriously doubt if the author has got time to find little old me a
copy of one of his books.  What I'm looking for essentially is someone
who has a copy and wants to either give it to me or sell it to me.

I have looked into this myself and the page you provided was the first
I came accross a while back.  I could really do with a more in depth
bit of researching to be honest.

Sorry.  I don't want to sound ungrateful, but that's not what I asked
for.  If you can find a copy of the book, I will be a satisfied
customer.



Journalist,

Again, thanks...but I'm after something quite specific here.  I know
that the book is hard to get hold of - that's why I have come to you
guys.  I have tried searching myself and cannot find it for love nor
money.  I thought your level of expertise could help me.

As I mentioned to your colleague, I think contacting the author is a
little OTT and I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate it.  I'm interested to
see what your friends at ebay say...but I don't really want to part
with my money until my question has been answered and/or I am
satisfied that the researchers have done a little more than typed a
few key words into google and flicked through a couple of sites.  I
could do that with my limited knowledge of the web.

The information you provided would be of interest to JCC fans asking a
more general question.
 
However, I have located a lengthy list of Clarke's poems online at
http://www.cyberspike.com/clarke/poemlist.html that may assist you. 
His main site appears to be at http://www.cyberspike.com/clarke/ -
there is a "Mail Order" link but it's a broken one.  You might also
sign the guestbook with a request for the book at
http://www.cyberspike.com/clarke/guest.html
 
I'll let you know if I locate it.  I also tried to locate the video of
it for purchase but no luck.
 
Clarke's last gig reported was March 26, 2003, at the club whose web
site is http://www.expressexcess.co.uk/ - you may be able to contact
him through them at the club phone number, 020 7485 2659.
 
If I locate a copy of the book, I'll post the location in the answer
area but for now I've just this comment.
 
Best regards,

Greetings Standy:

I understand the loss of an out-of-print book both in missing one from
my library as well as trying to find those I want to acquire.  I have
not located the book but I have two friends who are mega booksellers
on Ebay and I've emailed them to check their stock to see if it's
there.  It's apparently very hard to find.

However, I have located a lengthy list of Clarke's poems online at
http://www.cyberspike.com/clarke/poemlist.html that may assist you. 
His main site appears to be at http://www.cyberspike.com/clarke/ -
there is a "Mail Order" link but it's a broken one.  You might also
sign the guestbook with a request for the book at
http://www.cyberspike.com/clarke/guest.html

I'll let you know if I locate it.  I also tried to locate the video of
it for purchase but no luck.

Clarke's last gig reported was March 26, 2003, at the club whose web
site is http://www.expressexcess.co.uk/ - you may be able to contact
him through them at the club phone number, 020 7485 2659.

If I locate a copy of the book, I'll post the location in the answer
area but for now I've just this comment.

Best regards,
journalist-ga


SEARCH STRATEGY:

"Ten Years in an Open-Necked Shirt" book
"Ten Years in an Open-Necked Shirt" video

Having had my share of family problems, I was motivated to help you
find your book.  That and I really didn't have anthing else to do :-)

I'm afraid to say I didn't have much luck.  I spent 2 hours on the
phone and called called more than 30 used and rare booksellers in
Southern Idaho and none of them had even heard of the book, much less
had it in stock.  Sorry.

I wish you luck in your search.  I am confident that if a copy exists
out there, a Google researcher can find it for you.

- ddelphi