This is a post to track Tom's entries on writing the new book:

+ The great sorting on the book
+ Still sorting ...
+ I've started writing the book
+ Getting better all the time . . .
+ I'm feeling about as low as one can in this cruel world ...
+ Done for today
+ Back in the saddle ...
+ 4 done, 10 to go
+ Chapter 5 in works
+ Chapter 5 still . . . working
+ Joy and suffering
+ Feeling five-by-five
+ Achieving the near brain-dead experience
+ Still chugging, but oh so close on 5
+ A quick 2k to end the WWI-WWII section
+ My Grendel is dead!
+ The next chapter planned
+ Oops! Day just got tougher!
+ Chapter 6 and Part II are now in the box
+ I stuck in my thumb, and pulled out a short introduction to Part III
+ Deep into Chapter Seven (Economic Realignment)
+ Deeper still into Chapter 7
+ Gave one interview, deeper into Chapter 7
+ Chapter 7 done and in the box
+ Chapter 8 mostly done
+ Chapter 8 finished
+ Chapter 9 started
+ Chapter 9, air conditioned
+ Chapter 9 almost finished
+ Chapter Nine finished
+ Chapter 10 begun
+ A most disciplined day of writing
+ Thickening and thinning
+ Chapter 10 in the box
+ Chapter 11, the last of the realignment chapters, is begun
+ Chapter 11, deeper in
+ Chapter 11, extended as predicted
+ Recasting Chapter 11 somewhat
+ Chapter 11, one more brick in the wall
+ Low wattage
+ Last realignment chapter done but not completely signed off
+ Big decisions on the book
+ The book is done
+ Starting the sell inside Putnam
+ "Great Powers" to be released 2/5/09
+ The editing has begun (for me at least)
+ The current bibliography (books only) of "Great Powers"
+ The editing has begun (for me at least)
+ Cruising
+ Slowly, we approach the Kraken of "Great Powers"
+ A big decision
+ Long day's journey into night
+ Feeling good on the book
+ Saw the cover art for "Great Powers"
+ "Great Powers" cover
+ Pre-order "Great Powers"!
+ 11 hours of footnotes
+ 2 days left
+ "Great Powers" is now truly done
+ The final cut
+ If you're media (any kind), and you think you want to do something on Great Powers at the start of February . . .
+ Thinking PR with Putnam/Penguin
+ Holy M--, M-- of G--! The first galley is being overnighted!
+ My mistake on galleys
+ The usual crush of editing
+ Lost weekend
+ Waiting, waiting ...
+ Great Powers is really done now.
+ The master edit continues ...
+ Great Powers Wordle
+ Uncorrected Proof for Limited Distribution--in hand
+ Great Powers Preface Wordle
+ Getting down to details on the book
+ Corrections to advance copy
+ The temptation on the book . . .
+ The general as intellectual omnivore
+ The "final pass" is delayed
+ Got second pass in hand
+ Mother of God!
+ Book finally, finally, finally done
+ This really is my best book