This Blog is about the love of books and the lack of time to read them all. The title is a homage to the Russian writer Yury Dombrovsky’s novel “The Faculty of Useless Knowledge”, a novel that shows the immortal value of art and creativity.
“We can forgive a man for making a useful thing as long as he does not admire it. The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it intensely. All art is quite useless.”
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Faculty Of Useless Knowledge 
Could you please tell me about any copyright on this photo (https://facultyofuselessknowledge.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/43-stalingrad_after_ww2.jpg) I need the photo for my coursework but can’t unless I know the copyright behind it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Hi,
I got the photo from here: http://historicalphotosdaily.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/battle-of-stalingrad-ww2.html
Good luck with the work!
Hello!
I’ve been watching your blog for some time now and I admire your writing. The title of it makes me really want to read Dombrovsky’s book. However, I’m having trouble finding a copy anywhere. I’m from Romania, but an English version would be just fine. Any tips appeciated!
Hi Denisa,
Glad to hear you’re enjoying the blog. I will be updating it soon again. You can get Dombrovskii’s books in English at abebooks.com or amazon. The translations aren’t the best, but you get a good sense of how amazing his writing is anyway. Good luck!
Hi,
Do you know of where I could find an English copy of For A Just Cause? I’ve just finished The Road and Everything Flows, and am now hoping to read For A Just Cause before starting Life and Fate. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely, Paul
Dear Paul,
I am so happy to hear that you have enjoyed Grossman’s work and want to read For a Just Cause, but unfortunately there isn’t a translation of the novel yet. I know that Robert Chandler, who translated Life and Fate, Everything Flows and The Road, has started a translation of it, so hopefully it won’t be too long before it appears in English. I do imagine however that it will take a couple of years as it is as long as Life and Fate! Sorry to disappoint.
Best,
Katia
Hej Katja, intressant blogg och uppdagande av det förflutna. Blir nu själv intresserad av att forska om min egen familjehistoria. Ta hand om dig! / Arina
Hello!
I look for how to contact Peter Doyle. And incidentally I found your blog.
Aren’t you familiar with him? Or have you his contact information?
In general I need for his book about Dombrovsky, but the Amazon online store doesn’t work with delivery to Ukraine. (And I’m from Ukraine). Therefore I look for other ways to get this book.
Please, help me, if you can.
And forgive me my clumsy English.:)
Hi,
I do have contact with Peter Doyle, it wasn’t easy to find. If you give me your personal email I will contact you in person with the details.
And you’re English is absolutely fine 🙂
Katia
I’m happy! It’s my e-mail: nastyalgiya@mail.ru
Thank you!