Could a textbook about carpentry or plumbing deserve a Nobel prize in literature?

[Boojatta]

[BOSSHOG]

1. I certainly hope so

The award should be for the writer's ability not the subject matter.

[Jim__]

2. I would hope not.

I don't consider textbooks literature. And, if a textbook can be considered literature, I'm not sure it could be both "idealistic" (Nobel's criteria for the prize in literature) and a good textbook.

[BOSSHOG]

3. If a textbook were written as literature

it would most likely be a success in the sense that it would be a very good instructional read. Such books don't have to be boring, in fact, efforts should be made to ensure they are not.

I spent years on the podium in the Navy. It took no effort what so ever to lose your class. One had to work to be creative and capture an audience. I was almost always put on the podium after lunch because no one fell asleep on me. While I had a controlled environment and falling asleep in class was not a good career move, the person on the podium should take responsibility for anyone slipping off in a nap, just like an author of a textbook should take responsibility for captivating and stimulating his works readers.

[Jim__]

4. I agree that a textbook can be captivating and stimulating ...

... and still be a good instructional read. I have a hard time considering a textbook literature. To me, literature is art; a textbook is instruction. Also, I'm not clear how a textbook could satisfy Nobel's requirement that the prize in literature go to the most outstanding work of an idealistic tendency.

When I was young, I worked for a plumber for a while. Somehow, I can't picture an idealistic book on plumbing. :)

[hedgehog]

5. I don't know, but Moby Dick has an awful lot of info about whales

and whaling!