Yes, the rumors are true. For the past several months, I have secluded myself in the Lauderdale Mansion to produce a new book that showcases some of my favorite photographs from my award-winning "Ask Vance" column. That's basically the column you are reading now, of course, and the one that runs each and every month (with a few exceptions, when I'm drunk) in Memphis magazine.
It's packed with great photos, but it's not just a pretty-picture book. I consulted the best dictionaries money can buy, and added some good, well-spelled words to each page, just to give you your money's worth.
But on these pages you'll find images and stories about long-gone but never-forgotten people and places, such as Overton Park's Japanese Garden, the Hotel King Cotton, Sivad, Happy Hal, Pappy Sammons, Edwin Hubbard, the Big Shoe, Maywood, Clearpool, Rainbow Lake, the WHBQ-ties, and lots more.
Now there's just one catch: It's not available in any stores. Beginning October 1st, the book comes free with a subscription to Memphis magazine. That means you have three ways to get it: 1) buy a magazine subscription for yourself, 2) extend the subscription you already have, or 3) buy a gift subscription for your friends. ALL of your friends. And then you get the book — a bargain at just $15.
Now I know some of you just want to purchase the dang book, and you wonder why we offer such a convoluted arrangement for getting one. It's very simple. We need subscribers. Without subscribers, there's no magazine, and if there's no magazine, there's no "Ask Vance." So there.
So call 521-9000 and order your copy of Vance Lauderdale's Lost Memphis today; subscriptions including the book will be available to order online beginning October 1st.
You'll be glad you did.
