Sir, my friend John Baynes used to say that the man who…
“Sir, my friend John Baynes used to say that the man who published a book without an index ought to be damned ten miles beyond Hell, where the Devil could not get for stinging nettles”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A book without an index is so flawed it deserves damnation beyond Hell.
In simple terms: No index makes a book terrible.
Key Takeaway
Include clear navigation in writing.
Themes
Writing
Indexes
Quality
Humor
Critique
Mood
Witty
Critical
Type
Satirical
Literary
When to use this quote
- Editing manuscripts
- Creating guides
- Teaching writing
- Publishing
- Reviewing drafts
Key Concepts
Literary standards
Satire
Precision
Questions to Reflect On
- When is an index essential?
- How does structure affect comprehension?
A Different Perspective
Not all books need indexes; context matters.