{"product_id":"an-history-of-birmingham-1783-9781517636470","title":"An History of Birmingham (1783)","description":"A preface rather induces a man to speak of himself, which is deemed the worst subject upon which he can speak. In history we become acquainted with things, but in a preface with the author; and, for a man to treat of himself, may be the most difficult talk of the two: for in history, facts are produced ready to the hand of the historian, which give birth to thought, and it is easy to cloath that thought in words. But in a preface, an author is obliged to forge from the brain, where he is sometimes known to forge without fire. In one, he only reduces a substance into form; but in the other, he must create that substance.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Createspace Independent Publishing Platform","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50854089589010,"sku":"9781517636470","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_75e7d196-7fc8-47aa-846a-64a4658f0561.jpg?v=1737459924","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/an-history-of-birmingham-1783-9781517636470","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}