Bad Man Blues: A Portable George Garrett

Customer Reviews:

bad man blues.......2001-03-02

...this books writting styles are in no match with any other book that i have read pure genious.

A wonderful sample of Garrett's versatility.......1998-12-12

This book -- billed as "a portable George Garrett" is just that. It includes samples of his work from many years and shows how he can master almost any form. The stories of his family and of his academic career are especially engaging. But the volume contains one section from his magnificent stories of the Tudor period. This is a book by an author who has not received his due of acclaim.

Average customer rating:

A delightful sendup of both the SciFi Convention Scene, and the murder-mystery genre

Uninspired and bland

Great fun.

Fun, Interesting Look into "Geek Culture"

Self-Hating Fan
Bimbos of the Death Sun
Sharyn Mccrumb
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
McCrumb, Sharyn | ( M ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Zombies of the Gene Pool

Highland Laddie Gone

Missing Susan

MacPherson's Lament

Sick of Shadows

ASIN: 0345483022
Release Date: 1996-12-28

Book Description

"Sharyn McCrumb is a born storyteller."

*Mary Higgins Clark

WINNER OF THE EDGAR AWARD!

"Sharyn McCrumb has few equals and no superiors among today's novelists."

*San Diego Union-Tribune

For one fateful weekend, the annual science fiction and fantasy convention, Rubicon, has all but taken over a usually ordinary hotel. Now the halls are alive with Trekkies, tech nerds, and fantasy gamers in their Viking finery *all of them eager to hail their hero, bestselling fantasy author Appin Dungannon: a diminutive despot whose towering ego more than compensates for his 5' 1" height . . . and whose gleeful disdain for his fawning fans is legendary.

Hurling insults and furniture with equal abandon, the terrible, tiny author proceeds to alienate ersatz aliens and make-believe warriors at warp speed. But somewhere between the costume contest and the exhibition Dungeons & Dragons game, Dungannon gets done in. While die-hard fans of Dungannon's seemingly endless sword-and-sorcery series wonder how they'll go on and hucksters wonder how much they can get for the dead man's autograph, a hapless cop wonders, Who would want to kill Appin Dungannon? But the real question, as the harried convention organizers know, is Who wouldn't ?

"I loved BIMBOS OF THE DEATH SUN . . . Beautifully observed, funny, nicely constructed, even compassionate."

*Robert Silverberg

From the Paperback edition.

Download Description

A mystery novel complete with a murder and an array of suspects with plausible motives, it won an Edgar Award in 1988 for Best Original Paperback Mystery.

Customer Reviews:

A delightful sendup of both the SciFi Convention Scene, and the murder-mystery genre.......2007-08-21

This book is basically a send-up of the uber-geeky Science Fiction Convention scene. If you've ever attended one, you will positively laugh your butt off reading this book, because McCrumb's so utterly on target in the fun she pokes. Other writers, mostly outsiders to the SciFi scene, have tried the same, and fallen short, whereas McCrumb succeeds wonderfully. Her familiarity and comfort with the subject matter is instantly apparent to those who are equally familiar.

The basic premise for this book is simple: a popular (but rather misanthropic) author of B-grade Science Fiction novels (see the title of the book) gets murdered during a SciFi convention at which he's the GoH (that's "Guest of Honor", in fan speak) ... and several of his fans take up the challenge and try to solve the mystery before the con ends and the perpetrator can escape.

Subtract a star if you're not a fan of either genre, and if you've never been to a scifi convention or dressed up as one of your favorite Star Trek or Comic Book characters.

Highly recommended.

Uninspired and bland.......2007-07-20

This book is the literary equivalent of "Diagnosis Murder" or "Murder She Wrote". The characters are one dimensional and not quite believable, especially the con goers.

It is interesting that the book is so dated. For example, one of the characters talks about how he leaves messages in a file on a server at the University where the person he is sending the message to can log on and read it. In the 11 years since the book was written email has become so much a part of life that the whole talk sounds like Mr. Burns on the Simpsons raving about "this so-called iced cream".

I was also unimpressed with the author's humorous timing. There were a couple of genuine chuckles in the book but there were several places where a funny gag is ruined because the author grinds it into the ground by spelling out the humor for us in detail.

All in all a pretty disappointing and forgettable read.

Great fun........2006-07-09

I was pleasantly surprised by this little novel. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't to be so entertained by a mystery novel concerning sf fandom. The plot is very basic, and the writing style is also deceptively simple (not an easy effect for a writer to achieve). If you have a few hours to kill, you can zip through this book and finish knowing that it was time well spent.

Fun, Interesting Look into "Geek Culture".......2006-03-14

Sharyn McCrumb's Bimbos of the Death Sun is a short and sweet little murder mystery which takes place during a sci-fi/fantasy convention, complete with all of the usual suspects (trekkies, role-playing gamers, elves, tech-geeks, etc.).

Everything in this book works: the characters are distinct and interesting, the writing is fine, the plot manages along. It is not a criticism of the book to say that it isn't "deep" or "meaningful" because it was never meant to be anything other than a cute little pastime, and it accomplishes that goal.

There are a couple of biases which show up in the novel that I wish weren't there. That the author decided to write about fan culture (which wasn't as ubiquitous in the late eighties, when the book was written, as it is now) is fun, but I wish that she had more sympathy for it. Often throughout her work, she puts down the subjects of her writing, commenting on how sad their hobbies are, and how they are not "real life." One wonders if obsessing about sci-fi novels, say, is any less sad than obsessing about sports, or cars, or make-up, or dating, or any of the countless other specialties that comprise mankind's hobbies. Sci-fi/fantasy enthusiasts are often smarter and kinder than many in those other pursuits, and yet they are often regarded as being less worthy of respect. In treating on the subject, it's sad that McCrumb couldn't see that.

Also, I expect that the author is Scottish. I say that because she has a Scottish character in the novel who seems to exist in order to allow Ms. McCrumb to continually comment on how odd and rude Americans are and, in general, not as good/decent/sophisticated as the Scottish. European pretentions are tiresome and often groundless, and serve no good purpose in this book.

In general, this is a fun read, presenting an interesting insight into early "geek culture." The murder, around which the book is centered, actually isn't a big deal--the murderer is identified immediately for the observant reader--but the book still holds interest for its fun characters and decent writing. A couple of the author's biases show up and are regrettable, but neither so bad as to drag down the book.

Four stars.

Self-Hating Fan.......2005-09-17

I readthis because it's set in the world of fandom. I didn't like the central character or his abrasive English professor girlfriend, and I found the mystery resolution rather sordid. Actually, the only reason I didn't figure out whodunit was that the correct answer was so screamingly obvious that I was sure no mystery author would do that.

However, the depiction of fandom was quite amusing, if also somewhat patronizing. A friend of mine described the author as a "self-hating fan", and I'd say that's about right. In fact, the abrasive girlfriend, who I think is something of a Mary Sue, describes herself as "a recovering fan".

There was one bit I found especially amusing. Remember that this book was published in 1988, the year I graduated from high school. The protagonist, a professor of engineering, is reading an amateur science fiction story in which someone tears up a letter.

"Three thousand years in the future? ...And they still get mail? We don't even do that on campus. I leave messages for people on the computer mainframe, and they just check their file once a day. Electronic mail. Instantaneous."

Wooooooow.

Bimbos & Zombies : Bimbos of the Death Sun / Zombies of the Gene Pool

Average customer rating:

A Great Read that you can't put down
a mystery

Bimbos & Zombies : Bimbos of the Death Sun / Zombies of the Gene Pool
Sharyn McCrumb
Manufacturer: Guildamerica Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Customer Reviews:

A Great Read that you can't put down.......2004-07-06

I doubt that the other fellow who reviewed this book actually read it. More likely he read the inside cover, becuase the plot summations he gave are 90% wrong. He has the names of some of the characters and the basic setting, but everything else he must have made up becuase it bears no resemblance to the actually stories contained in the book. The books are very interest and a fun read, especially for scifi/fantasy fans. I'm not much for mysteries, I only picked up these books becuase the setting for the first book (Bimbos of the Death Sun) sounded interesting (A Fantasy/SciFi Convention). The mystery was ok, not really the strong part of the story, but the characters and dead on description of Wargamers, Trekies, RPG players and other conventioneers is the most entertaining part. The story is only 135 pages long and a quick fun read with a decent mystery to boot. The second story in the book, Zombies of the Gene Pool, is very interesting and better written than the first. It's a very interesting analysis of the scifi genre and fans, with some interesting fanzine history included. The mystery is interesting all the way to the end, where it fell apart for me. The last 2 chapters were a disappointment, but still didn't take away from an enjoyable quick read over all. I guess I also loved the majority of the book so much, the ending just couldn't live up to the rest of the book in my mind. Zombies is longer than Bimbos by about 60 pages, but is a better written story in my estimation, still they both are really enjoyable and I just purchase another copy for my brother to enjoy (he's a big comic and scifi/fantasy guy). I highly reccomend these books singley or in this combination hardcover, they are worth the read (I finished them in a night apiece before going to bed.)

a mystery.......2004-03-12

This book is two stories in one.One is Bimbos of the Death Sun which takes place at a Sci-Fi convention and the other Zombies of the Gene Pool which takes place after Bimbos.In Bimbos of the Death Sun an famous Sci-Fi author Appin Dungannon is murdered. A professor Dr.James Owens Mega(whos has just wrote his first SF novel which came out in paperback).His book Bimbos of the Death sun was a big hit.AT the convention no one knows he's the author until that they find out his pen name is Jay Omega. Appin Dungannon was killed in a restroom during a covention. Jay goes on a search to find out who killed Dungannon. Throughout his quest he meets people who have liked his book and seem suspicious.In Zombies of the Gene Pool Jay Omega and fellow writers go to a cabin to contimplate their novels.A strange man Murders one of the writers. Jay and the remaining writers must find out who killed their friend. This was an okay read. What spoiled it for me was the detail about the Sci-Fi convention. I liked the fact that thius novel tried to combine Science Fiction with Mystery.

Average customer rating:

BIMBOS OF THE DEATH SUN
Sharyn McCrumb
Manufacturer: TSR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000M0Z74W

Average customer rating:

Bimbos of the death sun
Sharyn McCrumb
Manufacturer: TSR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000U2B5C0

Bimbos of the Death Sun (UNBRIDGED(MYSTERY ON CASSETTE))

Average customer rating:

Bimbos of the Death Sun (UNBRIDGED(MYSTERY ON CASSETTE))
Sharyn McCrumb
Manufacturer: RECORDEDBOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: B000P19Q7W

Bimbos of the Death Sun [Audiobook] [Cd]

Average customer rating:

Bimbos of the Death Sun [Audiobook] [Cd]
Sharyn McCrumb
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000IZBA0Q

Product Description

Edgar Award-winning author Sharyn McCrumb brings her storytelling talent and keen eye for satire to this hilarious spoof of the bizarre culture surrounding sci-fi/fantasy fandom. It all takes place at Rubicon, the science fiction and fantasy convention. 5 Hours 51 Minutes, unabridged on cd.

Zombies of the Gene Pool (The Ballad Series, Book 6)

Average customer rating:

Zombies of the Gene Pool (The Ballad Series, Book 6)

Manufacturer: Recorded Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: 0788768921

Product Description

New York Times best-selling author Sharyn McCrumb spices her intriguing mysteries with an insider's eye for detail about the fringes of popular culture. In this companion to Bimbos of the Death Sun (RB# 95942), she once again turns her attention to the strange sub-culture of science fiction fandom. Back in the 1950s, eight young men bury a time capsule with their science fiction stories, dreaming of literary immortality. When the surviving members of that group get together for a well-publicized excavation nearly four decades later, their reunion is thrown into chaos by a surprise guest--a reportedly dead writer who threatens to expose the group's dark secrets. And when murder gets added to the agenda, it may become impossible to separate science fact from science fiction. Zombies of the Gene Pool highlights McCrumb's wry wit and complete mastery of the puzzling mystery. Narrator Ruth Ann Phimister captures all the drama and humor of this delightful trip inside the colorful world of science fiction fans

Bimbos & zombies: Including bimbos of the death sun and zombies of the gene pool

Average customer rating:

Bimbos & zombies: Including bimbos of the death sun and zombies of the gene pool
Sharyn McCrumb
Manufacturer: Mystery Guild
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Bimbos and Zombies: Exclusive 2-in-1 Volume (Bimbos of the Death Sun & Zombies of the Gene Pool)

Average customer rating:

Bimbos and Zombies: Exclusive 2-in-1 Volume (Bimbos of the Death Sun & Zombies of the Gene Pool)
Sharyn McCrumb
Manufacturer: Mystery Guild
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J2JVZ4

Average customer rating:

A trippy "Einstein's Dreams" Pastiche...ultracool

The Best Book, The Worst Book

The best "Choose Your Own Adventure" book

The ne plus ultra of the series!

Zowie!

HYPERSPACE # 21 (Choose Your Own Adventure, No. 21)
Edward Packard
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Space Patrol (Choose Your Own Adventure, No. 22)

Trouble on Planet Earth (Choose Your Own Adventure, No. 11)

Forbidden Castle,the

Secret of the Pyramids (Choose Your Own Adventure, No. 19) (Choose Your Own Adventure)

ASIN: 0553263714
Release Date: 1983-05-01

Customer Reviews:

A trippy "Einstein's Dreams" Pastiche...ultracool.......2005-04-26

I actually wrote an unfinished novella based on one of the "paths" in this book. I realize now that I was writing fan fiction, so it's a good thing I never finished

My story was based on the "path" that comes from the boy narrator reading the professor's book and piloting a spacecraft. I picked the option to fire on the alien spacecraft (then I usually cheated and went back to the original choice). That led to the boy becoming ruler of an alien race with amusing commentary on politics:

"What do you mean, I'm your king?"
"What it would mean in any universe. You must never go out without twelve guards to protect you you must pretend to be happy."

I actually continued the story and wrote about the boy becoming ruler of the world, what he would face, etc. My other favorite was the aliens with baggy air sacs in the space where the sky was the sea.

And of course, Doctor Vivaldi showed up along with another familiar figure...

The Best Book, The Worst Book.......2003-05-28

This is without a doubt my favorite book of the CYOA series. As an 11-year-old, the storyline was so bizarre and difficult to wrap my head around that it gave my brain a major workout. I would read this book over and over, and develop lots of new fantasies based on the scenarios from the book. On the other hand, this book is so esoteric that it might put some people off on the series, so I can't recommend it for everyone. You should get this book if you enjoy CYOA in general and have an open mind for exposing your mind to new and strange concepts. If you're getting this for a child, I'd wait until they are at least 8 or 9 years old, so that they at least have a foundation of learning they can use to understand the book.

I'm going to read the book once more now, and try again to figure out what the experience of being in the sixth dimension might be like...

The best "Choose Your Own Adventure" book.......2000-09-28

"Hyperspace" is my favorite of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books I have read, and it definitely deserves to be brought back into print. Its highly self-referential storyline results in such delights as characters who know they're characters in a "Choose Your Own Adventure" story, and what surely must be the most surprising cameo in the series--an appearance by a certain person whose last name is that of an old model of car... This book is a true classic of the heyday of plot-your-own stories.

The ne plus ultra of the series!.......2000-06-18

Edward Packard has just a little bit too much fun with Hyperspace, a minor classic. It's amazing that a "kiddie" book, albeit one soaked in self-referential post-modernism, remains an all-time favorite of mine.

Zowie!.......1999-07-09

Packard has a ball with this, the most wild and adventurous of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" series. This is pretty flipped-out stuff, and it's amusing to see the genre get played around with so much. Perhaps the last of the great ones in this series before it bogged down, with a few scattered exceptions later on.

12 Choose Your Own Adventure 5 Chimney Rock 12 Inside UFO 54-40 21 Hyperspace 25 Prisoner Ant People 32 Treasure 33 Dragons' 47 Outlaws Sherwood Forest 51 Magic Unicorn 52 Ghost Hunter 99 Revenge Russian Ghost 97 Through Black Hole 132 Luckiest Day (Choose Your Own Adventure - CYOA)

Average customer rating:

12 Choose Your Own Adventure 5 Chimney Rock 12 Inside UFO 54-40 21 Hyperspace 25 Prisoner Ant People 32 Treasure 33 Dragons' 47 Outlaws Sherwood Forest 51 Magic Unicorn 52 Ghost Hunter 99 Revenge Russian Ghost 97 Through Black Hole 132 Luckiest Day (Choose Your Own Adventure - CYOA)
Edward Packard , Jay Leibold , Deborah Lerme Goodman , Ellen Kushner , Richard Brightfield , Julius Goodman , and R. A. Montgomery
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NK2ZUA

Average customer rating:

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000NK4LUC

Product Description

Choose Your Own Adventure books have been enjoyed by children for years. The interaction with the plot and the unpredictable turns and twists capture a child's interest and spark his imagination. What happens next in the story? It all depends on the choices you make. How does the story end? Only you can find out! And the best part is that you can keep reading and rereading until have had not one but many incredibly daring experiences!

Average customer rating:

Cookbook

One of My Most Often Used Books!

A must have!

Practical and Reasonably Priced

Best cookbook to have on your shelf

What's for Dinner: 200 Delicious Recipes That Work Every Time
Maryana Vollstedt
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Quick & Easy | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Big Book of Easy Suppers: 270 Delicious Recipes for Casual Everyday Cooking

The Big Book of Casseroles: 250 Recipes for Serious Comfort Food

Pacific Fresh

The Big Book of Potluck: Good Food - and Lots of It - for Parties, Gatherings, and All Occasions

The Big Book of Soups and Stews: 262 Recipes for Serious Comfort Food

ASIN: 0811836894

Book Description

Trust the author of the Big Book of Casseroles to come up with simple, honest food that real people want to eat every night for dinner. Back with an enticing new cover, this extremely useful cookbook is filled with all-purpose, everyday recipes that are perfect for busy cooks who expect great results with a minimum of time and effort. Easy to follow and healthy, the dishes offer plenty of tips for menu planning and call for ingredients that are readily available and affordable. And with tempting recipes such as fiery Shrimp Salsa, Herbed Pork Loin with Roasted Potatoes, and Spiced Apple Crisp, What s for Dinner? is a true kitchen classic.

Customer Reviews:

Cookbook.......2007-03-28

Every cookbook by this author is outstanding. Great, simple, easy to understand recipes with simple ingredients.

One of My Most Often Used Books!.......2005-06-12

This is a book that easily answers the question posed by the title. I've yet to have a recipe from its pages fail; much to the contrary, everything turns out great! Even the time I had some aging mushrooms in the fridge and decided to make the Cream of Mushroom soup, wondering why I was bothering to make such a simple thing -- I was blown away! Highly recommended for everyone from beginners to experienced cooks.

A must have!.......2002-01-18

We were given this book by a friend several years ago and it is a staple on our shelf, to the point that it is starting to fall apart! Every recipe has been fairly easy and delicious, received "rave" reviews from the diners on hand, and everyone to whom we've subsequently given the book has said it is one of the best. This is definitely the cookbook to have on hand when you need to whip together a meal, don't want to spend more than an hour doing it, and still have it taste like you were in the kitchen all day. It is the only "published" cookbook that comes with us when we go on summer vacation.

Practical and Reasonably Priced.......2002-01-15

I must have recipes for anything I cook. I cannot just go the cupboard, pick out some ingredients, and dream up a meal.
This cookbook is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Every recipe I have used thus far is great....would serve to company. Plus, she makes nice suggestions as to sides to serve with the entrees. I am so happy with this book that I have now ordered her cookbook on Pacific Coast recipes.

Best cookbook to have on your shelf.......1999-03-31

We bought this cookbook on a whim (we liked the title) and have found it is now the first one we reach for when company is coming or the kids are tired of chicken and mac-n'cheese. The recipes are easy to do, many can be prepared in advance, and the author makes life easier by recommending accompanying side dishes and desserts. Every recipe we've tried has been a "winner". For a family on the go, this cookbook has made having a real dinner possible!

Book Description

From preening to biting to molting this book helps bird owners better understand and care for their cockatiel.

Customer Reviews:

Finally I understand!.......2007-08-04

I've had cockatiels for years and just accepted their behavior as eccentric (which it is). Finally someone has shown me in a humorous way why they do some of those incomprehensable things. Cockatiels are still a little weird, but now I understand them a lot better.

Just fun ... not a lot of information..........2007-03-19

I think this is a book and certainly a good gift for someone you know who has cockatiels as me.

Buy it for the humour !.......2007-03-14

If you are an already experienced bird owner, you probably won't learn much you don't already know, but you will certainly get a good laugh out of it!
The illustrations are great and even though you can get through the entire book in about 10 minutes, I thought it was worth the low price.
It would also be a great book if you have cockatiels and want to help young children who are just learning to read to understand the birds better!

Curious about your cockatiel?.......2006-11-06

If you are a recent cockatiel buyer or just want to know why your cockatiel does some curious things, this is a good book for you. I found it very helpful explaining some of the things my cockatiel does.

A nice little book.......2006-04-22

I bought this book based on Amazon reviews just like this one.

As a very knowledgable bird person who has had birds since childhood, first budgie parakeets and then cockatiels, I was very interested in this book as it seemed to be one of use for even the experienced cockatiel person.

While there are a few things I didn't know before I bought it and while the book is well written and done with great humor, I found it wasn't quite as good as I expected it to be. I expected it to include a lot more of things I didn't know instead of simply telling what I do know in a fun way.

For the more casual cockatiel companion, I think this is a nice book and certainly a great gag gift for someone you know who has cockatiels. But for someone who invests heavily into her birds, it is maybe a little too elementary. Most people who invest in their cockatiels like dog people do for their dogs will probably know almost all of it like I did.

This is a book more for entertainment than education. If you want to be educated on cockatiels, try the serious parrot training books. Those are much more helpful.

Book Description

Well-respected Coca-Cola collectors Linda Lee Harry and Suzi Harry authored this comprehensive guide to Coca-Cola bean bag and plush toys. Features a complete history and secondary market pricing for the popular collectibles - both domestic and international. Includes Cavanaugh plush, some limited-edition special even issues and much more.

Customer Reviews:

Coca-Cola companions from Aardvarks to Yaks.......2000-12-09

Coca-Cola bean bags are instantly recognizable by their bottle of Coke. But while Polar Bears are obvious, it's harder to distinguish Jaguars from Cheetahs. Luckily, this handsome book contains large, colorful photographs and pertinent details to help a collector manage a wide variety of Coca-Cola bean bags critters. And, the comprehensive list of all Coca-Cola bean bags in Appendix A is a very useful feature to track what's in your collection.

The chapter on tags is especially helpful, with highly readable photos of the in's and out's of the authentic tags. It's too bad the country flags were not similarly illustrated for the International sets so we could learn more about the country each critter came from. Still, it's a great book to show kids what different animals look like in all the countries where Coca-Cola is sold.

Customer Reviews:

And I've just seen the cover!.......2001-02-21

Seeing the cover of this book during the time I've started my first bargello quilted jacket has captured my imagination. Bargello quilting is amazingly easy, and SO MUCH FUN! It gets the creative juices flowing! I've yet to find this particular volume, but the cover shows a beautiful story to draw me completely in.

Book Description

Besides his trademark I Want You poster, Flagg gained fame as America's premier poster artist. His use of men and women in allegorical settings helped remind the homeland to support our troops during both World Wars.

Customer Reviews:

Good But Small.......2005-09-10

Before ordering this book, notice the listed dimensions. This book is small. Apparently, that is what the series title "Vignettes" is supposed to communicate. I didn't put that together until I received this book in the mail. It was quite a surprise.

Still, this is a good book, and there aren't many books about Flagg and his artwork out there. The illustrations would have benefitted from being bigger, but they do work. I recommend this book--just be aware that it'll be one of the smallest art books in your collection.

The FLAGG Waves On!.......2000-06-19

Short, concise, to-the-point information with wonderfully reproduced portaits of Flagg's work. Flagg had his thumb on the nation's pulse and stayed a few steps ahead of its desires and passions. His work has inspired countless partriots and Americans alike. It did then, does still today, and this book ensures it will tomorrow.

Book Description

Comedian and human rights activist Dick Gregory reflects on his life and modern American history in a conversational memoir.

Customer Reviews:

To Educate.......2007-04-21

One of the most profound statements in the book was when Mr. Gregory was explaining racism, and I quote "Those old illiterate Negroes were all the White folks had to validate who they were. Could you imagine being a redneck who knew he was an illiterate cracker, and who knew that, as White as he was, he could never be president of the USA? As white as he was, he was never going to drive a Mercedes or go to Paris. So the only thing a redneck had to play with was niggers." and that is why when civil rights workers started educating the black folks about slavery the white rednecks were willing to kill to keep them. Because they were not only taking their niggers they were taking their dignity and self respect.

A Callus on All Our Souls.......2007-02-10

Dick Gregory's memoir is among the most honest and touching autobiographies available today. From the first page, I was drawn into his experience as if I were actually transitioning through pre-Civil Rights Era, the Movement, and the post-era that has evolved into today. Sometimes the pain of Gregory's experiences was so real that I literally felt the dull pain of sympathy in my gut, the tragic feeling that accompanies love or indignation. Callus On My Soul was a history lesson that will never appear on the pages of American textbooks, and a reality check that I will never forget.

Why is his life not on the silver screen??.......2005-08-02

One word.Riveting!.I loved every word.I never knew how much this man has done for brown people.I have learned so much from him just from reading his memoir.You will learn about how malcom x was really killed,who was the most powerfull person on earth was at the funeral of president kennedy,you could never guess,so don't try get the book and see.One of the most intersting memoirs I have ever read and I have read a few..

Standing at All Costs.......2003-06-25

With choices come sacrifice, and in Dick Gregory's book CALLUS ON MY SOUL, he tells the story of his life and shares with readers both the positive things he gained and the things he has had to forego as a result of his decisions. He tells of his childhood, which included a life of poverty, racism, and an absentee father. But more importantly, Gregory shares how he learned as a child to use humor as a way to transcend his difficult life experiences and gain peer acceptance. This would serve as an omen for the important role that comedy would play in his later life. As Gregory tells of his developing career as a comedian, readers quickly see the sacrifices that he and his family made in order to achieve the level of fame that he ultimately became known for. A great portion of the book is dedicated to Gregory's experiences and commitment to social causes. He relates to readers his experiences in the civil rights and human rights struggles, and tells of his personal experiences with both noteworthy and little known social activists. He tells of how he and other activists sacrificed their careers, physical safety, and time with family in order to stand up for what they believe in.

Because Dick Gregory has played such an integral role in so many historical events relating to civil and human rights, this book is so much more than a memoir. Anyone who picks this book up receives a new insight into many of the events that shaped the history of the United States. In addition, Gregory shares his own political views and opinions with a boldness and clarity that makes it evident that he is indeed an activist at heart. He also tells of the unwavering support of his wife and ten children as he fasted, went on cross country marathons, and even traveled the world leaving them at home. CALLUS ON MY SOUL is a political, historical, and personal account of a man who has dedicated much of his life to a number of worthy causes.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Good Thinking.......2002-01-24

Brother Greg believes O.J. is innocent. That is hard to believe, and there is some paranoia with his thinking. Conspiracy theories make for good fiction, but some of it is enlightening and believable. Mr. Gregory is a great man, and has a lot of knowledge. He is very smart. He is very funny, but he is also obsessed. If he calms down, he would do better. I love him. He is trying so hard to stop world hunger, and wants people to be slim and trim, and not fat as a pig. He wants justice. If people were more like Mr. Gregory, the world would be a much better place.

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