Book Description
“Season-by-season guide to identification, harvest, and preparation of more than 200 common edible plants to be found in the wild....Hundreds of edible species are included....[This] handy paperback guide includes jelly, jam, and pie recipes, a seasonal key to plants, [and a] chart listing nutritional contents.”—Booklist. “[Five hundred] beautiful color photographs...temptingly arranged.”—The Library Letter
Customer Reviews:
A 'must' for people interested in edible wild plants.......2004-06-13
My only regret about this book is that it isn't longer!
The plants are organized by season, and every plant has a small map to show what regions it grows in. There is a very nice, good sized picture of each plant, and most of them are in color. Information is also provided about harvesting, how to prepare the plant, and poisonous look alikes, if any.
The plants are listed by their common names, but the latin names are listed as well. Plants can be located by either name in the index.
If you are interested in edible wild plants, this book is a great value for a reasonable price.
Learning Edible Plants.......2002-10-07
This books shows, in an easy to understand format-in my opinion-a person how to identify wild edible plants that they can harvest (some even in their own backyard). It shows photos of the plants, tells you if there is a poisonous look alike plant, how to identify them, common locations of the plants, and how to prepare them for a meal. If someone wants to learn more about eating plants that grow in the wild, this book is the one I think should be in their library.
Only Fair for Identification.......2002-09-07
Identification of edible species is what I want, with emphasis on the first word. From my experience in identifying tree species and other plant ID handbooks, I'd call this one mediocre. The photos are often close-ups with no indication of scale, so size is unknown. Details are not included. Root structure and overall plant structure are seldom shown. ID often depends on flowers, present only for a few weeks of the year. Variation among species is so widespread that I'd recommend at least two good books, with better illustrations than those found here. Drawings, though not "natural", often provide better clues to identity by showing roots, structure, etc.
Good.......2002-05-21
Eating what you find in the wild can be a life saver. Learn about plants, not just N. American, but any place in the world that you might be called to serve.
From our garden.......2002-05-01
We have found many edible plants near our house -- we call it "Heaven's Garden."
Customer Reviews:
A must own for the rural person who eats wild foods.......2004-07-11
What makes this book rare and most useful is the listings are by the four seasons as well as habitat or areas grown or found in, so you know when to actually look for a specific plant. There is a small symbol next to each plant to show you how the plant can be utilized, like foraging for food, medicinal etc. I also like that the book covers look alike, since this may well save your life. The graphics used etc are superb. And the recipes are useful. This is one of those books any self sufficient rural or mountain person will own and use.
Book Description
Brand-new Let's Go: Peru is the only guide you'll need to South America's cultural hotspot. From millennia-old pre-Inca sights to wild nights of salsa, Let's Go's intrepid researchers have canvassed the Andes to bring you the best of Peru. Combining new text and maps with Let's Go's forty-five years of travel savvy, this insider's guide provides extensive coverage of Lima, Lake Titicaca, and Cusco and the Sacred Valley, while paying significant attention to less-touristed destinations. Valuable tips and listings deliver the know-how to see the sights and make a difference, and completely new features provide an in-depth look at the culture. So, whether you'd rather spot condors soaring over fathomless canyons or bask on spectacular sun-kissed beaches, Let's Go can show you the way.
Customer Reviews:
incomplete, disorganized information.......2007-03-27
i always use Lonely Planet guides when planning a trip (mexico, costa rica, hawaii, germany so far) and love them. i tried Lets Go for peru but was very disappointed. i found the information incomplete, occasionally inaccurate and definitely disorganized. by the end of the ten day trip, my three friends and i were all complaining about the book. i will definitely buy a Lonely Planet guide for my next trip!
decent information, but far too much excluded.......2005-12-18
I wanted to give this guide book a good review, especially since Let's Go guides tend to be pretty solid. Unfortunately, the Let's Go Peru guide leaves out much relevent information.
In city after city, I stumbled upon hostels, cheap places to eat, transport options, etc., that seemed to be arbitrarily excluded from the guide. That's unfortunate, since many were worth knowing about. Since I used the guide only 6 months after it went to press, changes over time cannot account for the lacunae.
Furthermore, this book does not even include the central selva area between Pucallpa and Puerto Maldonaldo. I could understand sparse information, since the region is way off the beaten path, but to not even mention it is both strange and frustrating.
Finally, the writing style tends to be imprecise just when you need detailed information. That said, it is more or less adequate in what it does cover.
In the end, I would say that it is OK to use this guide if you find a cheap copy, but depending on your travel preferences, you might be better off with Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide, both of which do nice jobs on Peru. In any event, it's a wonderful place.
This is your guide if you are trying to visit Peru on your lunch money . . . .......2005-09-08
With this 1st edition "Let's Go Peru" is getting off the proverbial porch and running with the big dogs (Rough Guide & Lonely Planet -- see my reviews). "Let's Go" is outstanding in two areas: Budget Travel and Alternatives to Tourism
Budget Travel. "Let's Go" guides are known for their ability to find you the best bargains. So, if you are counting every `centavo' then this guide will come through. The authors will find you a rock bottom, dirt cheep, bargain basement, lowest price possible accommodation and restaurant to match. IE: Hostal Rocha (gotta love that name) in Huacachina goes for $2 a night and you might bargain them down.
"Alternatives to Tourism." This twelve-page section covers "Volunteering," "Working" and "Studying" in Peru more throughly than any other guide. Each listing includes the names, address, phone numbers and electronic contact information that you will need. So even if you are not a minimalist, but you are planning to stay in Peru for a while, you will want to have this information.
I have lived in Peru for the past five years and I have frequented many restaurants listed in this guide. With the exception of one or two, "Let's Go" is right-on-the-money. I found the listing to be up-to-date and their descriptions are the best of any of the guides out today. For those who love "Nightlife" (bars & clubs), these sections are great. All of their recommendations are easy to find on a fairly decent map.
The Andes can be brutal if you get altitude sickness. I have seen the effects of "severe" altitude sickness, and it is not pretty. Sadly, for some Dilbert reason, `Let's Go Peru' only gives you the altitude of about 60% of the cities. They include the altitude of Tacna (562m or 1,842' ), but omit the altitude of such place as Puno/Lake Titicacawhich, which is at the nosebleed altitude of 3830m (or 12,565'). Go figure. Altitude information is important, and yet only `Lonely Planet' list the altitude of all the cities.
Some areas need additional work. The "Essential" section (Documents, Climate, Money Etc.) in this guide is bare-bone-basic and not as good as other guides. The four pages "Staying Healthy" section is anemic and barely covers important health information (in comparison, Lonely Plant's devotes ten pages about all important health information needed for your trip). Though the maps are easy to read, the guide has fewer maps than found in the other mentioned guides. These disparities will probably will be corrected in the 2nd edition.
Bottom line: This is guide is especially valuable if you are trying to do Peru on your lunch money and/or may stay awhile to work, volunteer or study. Caveat: if Machu Pichu, the Inca Trail, or the Manu National Park (Peru's Amazon) are your primary destinations, then you will get better information from either `Rough Guide' or `Lonely Planet'. Happy Trails. Strongly Recommended.
Let's Go Delivers Again.......2004-11-26
I looked into a lot of guides to Peru, and Let's Go is by far the best. Like the other LG guides, it's not only up to date but also fun to read and contains inside tips and info that none of the other series seem to provide. The coverage of Cusco is awesome, so much fun!!! The book also has pretty cool little essays on a bunch of interesting topics every few pages. Gracias, Let's Go!
Average customer rating:
- Excellent indeed
- An excellent history of Israel
- A superbly written and organized history
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A Young Person's History of Israel
Sara M. Schachter , and
David Bamberger
Manufacturer: Behrman House Publishing
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Binding: Paperback
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Welcome to Israel!
ASIN: 0874414296 |
Customer Reviews:
Excellent indeed.......2005-05-20
First written in 1985 and republished in 1994, this book describes in genuine historical terms the history of Israel, well enough so that youngsters can grasp it, and better (as others have noted) than many history books for grown-ups.
Twenty chapters and 172 pages include not only the pre-Israel history of the land, but even its prehistoric formation in geological time. There is the obligatory explanation (brief) of biblical history as well as that of all subsequent conquests, including the 7th century Muslim conquest of the land.
As the book explains, lands can die, and under its successive conquerors, Israel died: the plants and animals perished, and the land became a barren one, of desert and swamp. The Jewish people, however, rebuilt and reseeded the land, and made it bloom.
Despite all that, the Jewish people face an unrelenting propaganda war, which this book helps to counter.
--Alyssa A. Lappen
An excellent history of Israel.......2004-11-07
This little book for young people provides a much better history of Israel than quite a few misleading books for adults.
Although it is a short book, it has room for some excellent pictures and maps. After a brief history of ancient Israel, it pinpoints the start of modern Zionism with the assassination of the Russian Czar Alexander II in 1881. The bulk of the book traces the history of Zionism from then until the founding of the state of Israel in 1948 and its victory in its War of Independence. The book concludes with a short description of Modern Israel and its more recent history.
To the book's credit, it explains that Israel now faces a propaganda war from the Arabs, including oft-repeated Big Lies to the effect that Zionism is a form of racism and that Israel has deprived Arabs of their rights. Future authors of histories of Israel ought to read this book and try to at least do as well!
A superbly written and organized history.......2002-12-14
Now in an fully updated and expanded second edition, A Young Person's History Of Israel by David Bamberger is an ideal introduction for young readers as to why the state of Israel came about as well as why it, among all other nations, is so very special. This superbly written and organized history begins with describing the land the people of the old Palestine that existed for hundreds of years under Muslim rule. The next section is devoted to describing the origins of early Zionism that were to lay the groundwork for the return of the Jews to the land of Israel. The third section recounts the turbulent creation of an independent state of Israel. Section four is dedicated to the fight to build a viable state amidst hostile nations. The fifth and final section is devoted to describing the democratic state of Israel as it exists today. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white historical photos throughout, A Young Person's History Of Israel is a welcome and highly recommended addition to any personal, family, school, or community library collection.
Book Description
How to set up and maintain aquariums, and meet needs of the fish. Has colorful photographs of over 300 freshwater and marine fish plus aquatic plants. The one comprehensive reference every aquarium owner should have.
Customer Reviews:
Great Set-up Guide and Reference Manual.......2001-06-01
I give it two thumbs up - or five stars. :-) I agree with a previous reviewer that indicated that it is his best aquarium reference book. The only thing that I would like to point out about this book that might make it slightly confusing to a prospective reader is that the author apparently resides in Britain. I found a few discrepancies in fish naming compared to pet shops in my area. Also, after I first set up my aquarium, my fish became ill with what the author refers to as White Spot. When I went to the pet shop looking for medication for White Spot, they didn't know what I was talking about. As it turns out, White Spot is known locally as Ick or Ich. If I had paid closer attention when reading, I would have noticed that the scientific name begins with Ich. To me, these are minor inconveniences in an otherwise well-written and well-organized book. In addition, the color photographs are excellent, making it easy to identify a species.
I highly recommend this book.
A very good book for the beginner and intermediate.......2000-03-15
This book is a very good all-round book; it both deals with setup and maintenance of the aquarium (location, filters, heating, water quality, etc), and has a lot of pictures of common plants and fish. It puts the various fish into categories like whether they function well in a communal aquarium, where they mostly stay in the tank (bottom, middle, top), and what their preferred food is (plant, livefeed, dried food). This is a book you will find yourself returning to again and again for reference. Highly recommended!
Still my best reference book..........2000-02-11
This book has a lot of information in it. It is written plainly, and is easy to understand. Sometime it gets a bit to detailed for the beginner in some sections like lighting. As a reference for plants and fish (fresh/marine) it's a good book to start with. In 12 years of fish keeping I have seen few books that can match it, especially for the price. I bought my copy back in 1995, and although I have many other books on the shelf on aquaria, this is the 1st book I grab.
Cons: This book is written in Europe, so some of the equipment they picture is not available here, but it still gives you lots of facts & rules of thumb on fish keeping that you can use. It is a little short on water "how to" manipulate water attribute, it only talks about pH, ammonia, and nitrite levels. Water hardness, iron, and CO2 level info is missing, much more a beginner and intermediate level book.
Book Description
Aquarium enthusiasts encounter a whole new world when they collect saltwater varieties of fish. They also face different challenges from the ones they met with their freshwater tanks. Vivid full-color photos on every page of this manual show dozens among the different saltwater fish and sea creatures available to enthusiasts. A detailed text with tables and sidebars explains how to maintain a saltwater tank, which fish are compatible, and how to keep all of them healthy.
Customer Reviews:
A light introduction that should definitely be supplemented.......2004-02-09
I bought this book in 1996 when I was thinking of going from freshwater to saltwater. I found the information extremely helpful in making general decisions regarding stocking the tank. The rating system of 1-10 for each fish's ease of care has proven true over and over again. The fish the authors chose to describe are very common in the aquarium trade. If nothing else, it prevented me from making disastrous choices regarding tank mates. This is a beginner's book, an introduction to the world of saltwater. If I had read "Natural Reef Aquariums" by Tullock first, I probably would never have set up a tank. I would have thought that marine fishkeeping was too expensive and complicated for me, when in fact it has been very rewarding and worth the effort and the price! Maybe this should be classified with one of those "For Dummies" books because it provides an easy to read, enjoyable introduction, but you would never consider it to be your only reference. This book was lost while I was visiting my mother in the hospital and I missed it so much, I bought another. I'm glad I still have it in my library along with the other, more detailed, books. I rate it 4 stars because it's an excellent starting point.
It's too little to be really helpful for much.......2003-03-29
This book is basicly a fish guide, and that's fine because that's what I expected from it. The problem is it only gives maybe a paragraph or 2 per group of fish, and then only a paragraph on about 4-8 of the particular species. The info about the fish is fine for the most part, I just expected a more fish info and less pictures and large fonts.
The bottom line is, I wouldn't buy this book again and I'll keep it if for no other reason then the pictures are very nice.
One of the best photo marine book for its price.......2002-03-19
Every book has its strength and weaknesses. To criticize this book for lack of reef information is unfair because this book was targeted towards the audience who either have not owned a fishtank before or who has freshwater experience but getting into salt water setup with fish only tank. I read the book cover to cover in a very short time and I feel that I've learned so much in just two hours which I would not have if I read a "more detailed" book. I got an excellent overall view of the marine fish keeping, the physiological differences between salt and fresh water fish, the evolution between the two, etc. The colorful brilliant photos printed on high quality paper for popular marine fishes is worth keeping the book for its price as a quick reference to show friends. My personal favorite and if not the only reason to keep this book is the picture of the "Picasso Triggerfish". Literally, that fish looks like an artist random dabs and stroke colorful paint all over the fish's body and it has the personality of a true pet who sleeps like a hog and rearrange and personalize its own shelter. Doesn't that make you want to go out and collect such an adorable fish? That is a mark of a good book to inspire a beginner to study more and to learn more so that one day you can keep one of those. If Clown Triggerfish cost over a hundred, that Picasso (Rhinecanthus Aculeatus) must cost much more! Reason for not being a 5 star is that this book could have gone into more detail into the poison of the Mandarin fish and how it may or may not be harmful to its surrounding ecology and fish. I really don't understand why the author would put such information to make a reader curious yet not satisfy their curiousity? Points OFF. Also, I think the tank setup is a bit outdated and I would recommend visiting a local marine fish store or the internet for updated filters/skimmers currently available. Can't really blame the author because the book was written about 8 years ago and wet/dry filtration would be too expensive for most beginners back then. Reason for not being a 3 is that each photo selected for this text is meticulously hand picked to represent the most beautiful of breed, not just some randomly obscure photo as in most pocket hand books for fish identification. Solid, easy to flip quality photo book to show friends.
Excellent overview book to guide a beginner for introducing the types of marine fishes available to help them decide what kind of fish they would like to keep in their collection. Unless you already own a more comprehensive photo handbook, this book is a good place to start.
A good reference book for stocking up a fish only aquarium.......2001-08-21
It gives good identification of commonly available marine fish with a lot of great photos in high quality prints. It is specially useful as an aid to choosing fish. Pretty basic on setup and disease. Overall, it is a good beginner book for stocking a fish only aquarium system.
Hardly 'comprehensive' and poorly edited........2001-02-05
The author (or his 'consultant') have several mistakes in this book - amongst the species descriptions for example, they say the Catalina Goby "will thrive in a tropical invertebrate aquarium" though "Not a true tropical animal..." WRONG. This fish will perish quickly in a tropical environ. There is a photo of Engineer/Convict Gobies identified as catfish! And the author highly recommends a Cleaner Wrasse in every system - foolish, these are obligate cleaners and should be left on the reef. They'll harass your other fish like crazy, and usually refuse regular food. The coverage of system setup, maintenance and disease are very, very lightweight, and rather outdated. If you're looking to get started in Marine Aquariums, buy a book from John Tullock or Robert Fenner. They're more expensive, but worth every penny. This one belongs on the shelves of elementary schools' libraries - well, even that's not fair to elementary students!
Product Description
Covers 300 freshwater and marine species. Features detailed coverage of all aspects of setting up and maintaining an aquarium. Includes expert advice on feeding, breeding and treating disease.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from The Historian, published by Thomson Gale on June 22, 2003. The length of the article is 566 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Curiosities and Texts: The Culture of Collecting in Early Modern England.(Book Review)
Author: Susan Mitchell Sommers
Publication:
The Historian (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 22, 2003
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 65
Issue: 4
Page: 1057(2)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Albion, published by North American Conference on British Studies on December 22, 2002. The length of the article is 861 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Curiosities and Texts: The Culture of Collecting in Early Modern England.(Book Review)
Author: Michael Witmore
Publication:
Albion (Refereed)
Date: December 22, 2002
Publisher: North American Conference on British Studies
Volume: 34
Issue: 4
Page: 637(3)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
- Excellent resource! I don't even have a lawn and I love it!
- You don't have to be British
- Not In England
- Great for Britain
- A Reader From Sunny Miami, Florida
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The New Lawn Expert
D.G. Hessayon
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Pest and Weed Expert
ASIN: 0903505487 |
Book Description
The world's best-selling book on lawns. Home owners want a first-rate lawn, but there is no uniform yard for every situation. In this jam-packed and revised edition, learn how to look at your lawn and recognize its type; maintain excellent care, mowing, feeding, watering, trimming, raking, brushing, aerating, and much more; and diagnose and cure lawn troubles. The lawn care program and calendar continue to be reader favorites. Discover interesting facts and figures, history, tips on compost making, and care suggestions for non-grass and synthetic lawns.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent resource! I don't even have a lawn and I love it!.......2007-03-06
There are many gardening "expert" books by Dr. D.G. Hessayon and I have read several of them thanks to my local library. This one, above all the others, is hands down a worthwhile investment (especially since I paid $0.01 for it used on Amazon).
I currently live in an apartment and don't have a lawn of my own. I have, however, always been fascinated by gardening and plant care. While I have not compared this book to any other lawn care books on the market, I know that this one has help me with my future preparations of maintaining a beautiful "first-rate" lawn.
This book is divided into sections including the basics of identifying your lawn type, seeding, sodding, fertilizing, mowing, pests, and other problems. Although I don't live in England (since this book is directed towards the British) the information within can be easily applied to most any locale.
Everything you need to know is in here. Some may argue that there are better texts out there, and they may be right since I have done little in the way of exploring; but, it certainly is a great place to start.
You don't have to be British.......2004-03-16
There was an earlier complaint about this book being written for Brits... well, it is. However, every single weed, pest, and yes, grass species/variety is listed by its common British name AND Latin name. The latin name is, of course, common to all countries. From there, you could google the Latin name, get an American website, and there you are. For example, I had no idea what Browntop grass was, but easily found that Agrostis tenuis is also called Colonial Bent. I hope this helps anyone who might be confused by some of the terminology.
Not In England.......2001-01-15
I do not live in England and I found this book to be very informative. The author presents the information in a manner which is very easy to understand even for a novice gardener. The pictures, illustrations and schedules for lawn maintenance are wonderful. This book will not tell you of every disease or lawn problem but the information contained within will certainly complement information drawn from other lawn books printed for lawns in the U.S.
Great for Britain.......2000-09-19
I found this book strong in many general areas, however, it was written for British lawns, with only a chapter at the end dedicated to American lawns. Of course, there's a lot of overlap between the lawns of the two countries, but many of the names of pests and weeds were not those familiar to us in America. Hence, I could identify the British name for a particular weed in my lawn, but not know what we call it in order to go to my local store and buy the proper herbicide.
A Reader From Sunny Miami, Florida.......2000-04-11
Great step by step information on targeting lawn types and possible problems. It helped me out especially on controlling weeds and brown/empty spots in the yard. However, most of his tips on yard work tells me he hasn't lived in Florida. It is geared twards more seasonal climates. Florida is summer all year around. A South Floridian can disreguard a good portion of this book. If you do live in an area with all seasons this book on lawn care is for you.
Average customer rating:
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The Sentences of Pseudo-Phocylides: With Introduction and Commentary (Studia in Veteris Testamenti Pseudepigrapha , No 4)
Pseudo-Phocylides , and
Pieter Willem Van Der Horst
Manufacturer: Brill Academic Publishers
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ASIN: 9004057072 |
Book Description
Alan Bennett's award-winning series of solo pieces is a classic of contemporary drama, universally hailed for its combination of razor-sharp wit and deeply felt humanity. In Bed Among the Lentils, a vicar's wife discovers a semblance of happiness with an Indian shop owner. In A Chip in the Sugar, a man's life begins to unravel when he discovers his aging mother has rekindled an old flame. In A Lady of Letters, a busybody pays a price for interfering in her neighbor's life.
First produced for BBC television in 1988 to great critical acclaim, the Talking Heads monologues also appeared on the West End Stage in London in 1992 and 1998. In 2002, seven of the pieces were performed at the Tiffany Theater in Los Angeles for a highly praised brief engagement, and in 2003 a selection of the monologues premiered in New York at the Minetta Lane Theatre. These extraordinary portraits of ordinary people confirm Alan Bennett's place as one of the most gifted, versatile, and important writers in the English Language.
Customer Reviews:
The Teddy Bear with Laser Eyes.......2001-03-09
Alan Bennett has been called England's National Teddy Bear, so beloved is his work and person. It's a sweet moniker, but misleading to those who may not have yet read Bennett. Insightful and compassionate with a wit so sharp it effectively amputates sentimentality, this is a Teddy Bear with laser eyes and sharp claws that are only just retracted.
Bennett's character sketches in Talking Heads are devastating. The grown man whose safe little existence begins to unravel as he discovers his dear old mum has taken a lover, the vigilent, upright busybody who ends up in prison for invading her neighbor's privacy, the widow of "Soldiering On" whose emptiness of purpose is revealed through her inability to grieve--each uncomprehending character Bennett has created in these astonishing soliloquies is undone by his or her brave and steadfast unwillingness to acknowledge the bare-knuckled truth of human emotion.
Bennett is not cruel in revealing the weaknesses of his characters, but he is uncompromising in revealing those weaknesses. This is the Teddy Bear who brings to the picnic the sharp knives that cut through the bread and fat prepared and packaged by his companions.
Also recommended are Bennett's Writing Home, The Clothes They Stood Up In, and any and all of his other plays, particularly The Old Country; and, for those who just must have the soft and fuzzy version of the Teddy Bear, listen to Bennett's reading of Winnie the Pooh, or go see his stageplay of The Wind in the Willows.
I thought the story was...........2000-11-17
Honestly I thought the story was quite dull he tells us about the dull part of their lives, I'm surprised I didn't sleep reading it. It's the worst book I've ever read. You probably won't put this on display on the computer, but you asked what I thought of it and I told you the truth, I'm sure many others agree with me that the story was boring. . Thankyou
talking heads.......2000-02-04
I have been studying Alan Bennett and like many others find it highly amusing. It works remarkably well as a television series and not just on the page. The personalisation and connection to the viewer draws you in and makes it appear that each character is actually talking to you. Excellent work
These people are everywhere.......1999-05-07
I suppose I am a bit biased because I grew up in the same town as Alan Bennett (Leeds, Yorkshire) but this book is truly remarkable. The characters are a mixture of people we all know. A chip in the sugar is the man who lives down the street, A lady of Letters is always in the post office (usually in front of me !). All these people exist, what Alan Bennett does is drag them out of their lives and our heads and put them there in front of us. We may read about them and dismiss them as characters in fiction but they all exist and in most cases there's bits of them inside each of us. Thanks Alan Bennett for entertaining us and teaching us at the same time.
British Genius.......1998-07-23
I can't believe I'm the first person to review this masterpiece! Maybe it's because Bennett seems so very British, English even, that he's not appealled to American readers. I'm sure you're missing something worth having.
Bennett is a masterful observer of character and the six monologues gathered in this collection all display strong characters revealled with a sharp eye and a compassionate heart. Bennett is witty and controlled in his approach, allowing his characters to reveal themselves and their foibles subtley. I find these little tales deeply moving as well as funny, despite the apparently mundane subjects he's dealing with.
I can't think of a comparison to make to illuminate his style, especially since monologue is very rarely seen these days. I can see an affinity to A. Maupin and R.Rodi in terms of waspish observations of people and their social milieu. Bennett's characters aren't blatantly queer like Maupin's or Rodi's, they're not young and tre! ndy things either, but Bennet's own sensibilites and sensitivities give queer readers pause for thought, especially about the older, isolated members of society.
He takes us right inside the heads of six very ordinary people and lays bare their lives, their self-delusions and their petty snobberies in their own words. The texts were originally written as television plays and were broadcast on the radio by the BBC too, however, they work perfectly well on the page, rather like short stories. Why not try it and see for yourselves!
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Dictionary of Western Australians: Asian Immigrants to Western Australia 1829-1901
Manufacturer: International Specialized Book Services
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0855642874 |
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