Jamesian

As a James fan myself I was hoping for a new set of Jamesian terms, like STAB (Streetwalkers and Transients Assassinated per Borough), say, or O.J.'s (Obstructions of Justice). And as it turns out there are a few. By the final chapter we are fluent enough in Mr. James's methodology that we don't flinch when he classifies the murder of JonBenet Ramsey as an "IQBX 9."

Several Jamesians now hold high office in baseball. Billy Beane, a first-round draft pick who began reading back issues of the Abstract after his outfielding career stalled, was named general manager of the Oakland A's in 1997.